1.2.1 Order of Operations by Matt Wright

The order in an equation which uses addition, subtraction, multiplication and division rely on the order you solve it in, called Order of Operations, or PEMDAS.

ORDER OF OPERATIONS

First, do operations within parentheses

Next, evaluate powers (exponents)

Then, do multiplication and division left to right

Finally, do addition and subtraction left to right

PEMDAS

P - Parentheses

E- Exponents

M- Multiplication

D- Division

A- Addition

S- Subtraction

Example: -6 + 2(-4 + 3)² First, work within parenthesis

= -6 +2(-1)² Then, evaluate power (exponents)

= -6+2(1) Next, do multiplication and division

= -6+2 Finally, addition and subtraction
= -4 Get your final answer

Evaluating Exponents

Coefficient

Exponent

Base

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The exponent distributes only to the number in front of it, unless behind parentheses.

Example: -2n³ where n = 1

= -2 (1x1x1) Distribute the exponent to the variable (1)

= -2 (1) Multiply the numbers in parentheses

= -2 Multiply

Example: (-2n)³ where n=1

= (-2x1)³ First, evaluate within parentheses

= (-2x-2x-2) Distribute exponent to everything in bracket

= -8 Simplify

Try some!

1. –4 + 2 (-5 +3)²

2. 13 + (20 – 9)

3. 6 x 2 + 35 ÷ 5

4. 16 ÷ (2 + 6) x 10

5. 4³

6. (-4)³

7. –3³

8. –(3)³