Order of Operations:

When you are assigned a math problem to solve, which includes several tasks such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division within one expression or statement, the order in which these should be done is important.

The simple rule is whatever is enclosed in brackets should be performed first.

The second rule is any exponents are calculated as the second step.

Multiplication and/or division is done before addition or subtraction.

Let us take a look at some examples.

If the statement combines only addition or subtraction, you simply start from left:

Let us first add 5 + 7, which equals 12 and then subtract 3, leaving 9.

Look at the next example:

If we first multiply 5 by 7, which is the correct procedure, we get 35 and then when we add 3, the answer is 38.

However, if we were to add 3 and 5 as our first step (WHICH WOULD BE A MISTAKE!), and get 8 and then multiply that by 7, our answer would be 56 and it would be the wrong answer!

Multiplication and/or division has precedence over addition and/or subtraction!

Let us consider the following problem:

First, you will perform the subtraction of 4 from 7, getting the answer of 3. (Brackets first)

Then, you will multiply 3 by 6, getting the answer of 18. (Multiplication before addition).

You now have a simplified statement:

We will add 23 to 18 to get 41 and then subtract 2, to get the result of 39.

Now, calculate the following:

Examples:

Answers: