Mastering the Order of Operations: A Step-by-Step Guide to Solve Math Equations Consistently and Accurately

order of operations

The order of operations, also known as PEMDAS, is a set of rules that determines the sequence in which mathematical operations should be performed in an expression or equation

The order of operations, also known as PEMDAS, is a set of rules that determines the sequence in which mathematical operations should be performed in an expression or equation. These rules ensure consistency and accuracy when solving mathematical problems. Let’s break down the order of operations step by step:

1. Parentheses: Evaluate expressions within parentheses first. If an expression has multiple sets of parentheses, start with the innermost set and work your way outwards. For example, in the expression (3 + 5) * 2, you would first evaluate (3 + 5) to get 8, then multiply it by 2 to get the final answer of 16.

2. Exponents: Evaluate any expressions involving exponents or powers. For example, in the expression 3^2, you would calculate 3 multiplied by itself, resulting in 9.

3. Multiplication and Division: Perform any multiplication or division operations from left to right. If there are multiple multiplication or division operations in the same expression, perform them in the order they appear. For example, in the expression 4 + 6 / 2 – 1 * 3, you would first divide 6 by 2 to get 3, then multiply 1 by 3 to get 3, and finally perform the addition and subtraction operations, resulting in 4.

4. Addition and Subtraction: Perform any addition or subtraction operations from left to right. If there are multiple addition or subtraction operations in the same expression, perform them in the order they appear. For example, in the expression 3 + 5 – 2 + 1, you would start with the addition of 3 and 5 to get 8, then subtract 2 to get 6, and finally add 1 to get the final answer of 7.

By following the order of operations, you will ensure that you solve mathematical problems consistently and accurately, regardless of the complexity of the expressions or equations.

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