ORDER OF OPERATIONS

We have to have a way to always simplify a problem. The order of what we do has to be the same all the time. PEMDAS is the method a mathematician uses.

P = perform the work INSIDE the PARENTHESIS first

E = perform the work with all powers or EXPONENTS next

M = MULTIPLICATION

either multiply OR divide as you work the problem from LEFT to right

D = DIVISION

A = ADD

either multiply OR divide as you work the problem from LEFT to right

S = SUBTRACT

Problem: Simplify: 2(4 – 1)² – 6 ¸ (6 – 9) – 6 ¸ (10 – 8)

Solution:

P = perform the work INSIDE the PARENTHESIS first so we will perform (4 – 1), (6 – 9) and (10 – 6)

2(4 – 1)² – 6 ¸ (6 – 9) – 6 ¸ (10 – 8)

2(3)² – 6 ¸ (–3) – 6 ¸ (2)

E = perform the work with all powers or EXPONENTS next so we’ll do the square exponent

(3)² = 9

2(3)² – 6 ¸ (–3) – 6 ¸ (2)

2(9) – 6 ¸ (–3) – 6 ¸ (2)

M = MULTIPLICATION

either multiply OR divide as you work the problem from LEFT to right

D = DIVISION

This means we need to perform 2(9), – 6 ¸ (–3), and – 6 ¸ (2)

2(9) – 6 ¸ (–3) – 6 ¸ (2)

18 + 2 – 3

A = ADD

either multiply OR divide as you work the problem from LEFT to right

S = SUBTRACT

This means we have to perform the work from left to right so we’ll add (18 + 2) first then subtract three.

18 + 2 – 3

20 – 3

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