5/27/22, 3:23 AM Order of Operations
The Order of Operations and Variables:
Order of Operations
What is the order of operations?
Tip:
Operations are things like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division. When you add two A good idea when working with many
numbers together, you are performing the operations at a time is to do a little
operation of addition on them. Similarly, when you portion of the equation at a time,
multiply numbers together, you are performing the rewriting frequently. For example, do
operation of multiplication. the portion within the parentheses and
then rewrite the equation. Trying to do
The order of operations is the rule for what the entire equation at once can often
operations should be done first when there are lead to mistakes. Break it down into
several operations within the same equation. parts using the order of operations and
do a little at a time.
The order of operations is like grammar rules for
the language of math. It explains how to interpret
an equation to mean what it is supposed to mean.
Applying the Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
The order of operations says that operations must be done in the following order: parentheses,
exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.
Parentheses
When there are parentheses, whatever is inside must be done first. The stuff inside the
parentheses may also need to be broken down according to the order of operations as well. It is
even possible to have parentheses within parentheses. In cases like this, work from the inside
out.
Exponents
If there are exponents in the equation, these would be done next.
Multiplication and Division
Multiplication and division can be done together. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you do
division or multiplication first, but they must be done after parentheses and exponents and
before addition and subtraction.
Addition and Subtraction
Addition and subtraction also work together. You can do subtraction first, or you can do addition
first. They are part of the same step, however, they can only be done after items in parentheses,
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Math-1-6-1.html 1/5
, 5/27/22, 3:23 AM Order of Operations
exponents, and any multiplication and division.
PEMDAS
A frequently used expression in English to help students remember the order of operations is
PEMDAS.
Another way to remember this is the phrase “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.”
Critical Thinking Challenge
Can you think of another phrase that could help you remember the order of operations?
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Math-1-6-1.html 2/5
The Order of Operations and Variables:
Order of Operations
What is the order of operations?
Tip:
Operations are things like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division. When you add two A good idea when working with many
numbers together, you are performing the operations at a time is to do a little
operation of addition on them. Similarly, when you portion of the equation at a time,
multiply numbers together, you are performing the rewriting frequently. For example, do
operation of multiplication. the portion within the parentheses and
then rewrite the equation. Trying to do
The order of operations is the rule for what the entire equation at once can often
operations should be done first when there are lead to mistakes. Break it down into
several operations within the same equation. parts using the order of operations and
do a little at a time.
The order of operations is like grammar rules for
the language of math. It explains how to interpret
an equation to mean what it is supposed to mean.
Applying the Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
The order of operations says that operations must be done in the following order: parentheses,
exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.
Parentheses
When there are parentheses, whatever is inside must be done first. The stuff inside the
parentheses may also need to be broken down according to the order of operations as well. It is
even possible to have parentheses within parentheses. In cases like this, work from the inside
out.
Exponents
If there are exponents in the equation, these would be done next.
Multiplication and Division
Multiplication and division can be done together. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you do
division or multiplication first, but they must be done after parentheses and exponents and
before addition and subtraction.
Addition and Subtraction
Addition and subtraction also work together. You can do subtraction first, or you can do addition
first. They are part of the same step, however, they can only be done after items in parentheses,
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Math-1-6-1.html 1/5
, 5/27/22, 3:23 AM Order of Operations
exponents, and any multiplication and division.
PEMDAS
A frequently used expression in English to help students remember the order of operations is
PEMDAS.
Another way to remember this is the phrase “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.”
Critical Thinking Challenge
Can you think of another phrase that could help you remember the order of operations?
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Math-1-6-1.html 2/5
