A.K.A “BEDMAS”
Order of Operations
 The Order of Operations is the order in
which to solve a mathematical problem.
 You must solve problems using the order
established working from left to right.

BEDMAS
Use the acronym BEDMAS to help you remember the Order of
Operations
B – Brackets (Parentheses)
E – Exponents
D/M – Division or Multiplication
A/S – Addition or Subtraction
BEDMAS = Brackets (Parentheses)
 Brackets or Parentheses is the 1st operation to look for in a problem.
If there are parentheses then you must do the math in them before
anything else.
 Ex: 11 – (2 + 4)
2+4=6
11 – 6 = 5
Before you can do
anything else, you
must do the
operation inside the
parentheses.
BEDMAS = Exponents
 The 2nd step to look for in a problem are exponents. If
there are exponents solve them next.
 Ex: 52 + 7
52 = 25
After solving any
problems in
parentheses, solve all
exponents.
25 + 7 = 32
BEDMAS = Division & Multiplication
 Division and Multiplication are the 3rd and 4rd steps to look
for in a problem. Solve multiplication and division problems
working from left to right.
Ex: 5 x 6 + 12
5 x 6 = 30
30 + 12 = 42
Ex: 36 ÷ 6 – 4
36 ÷ 6 = 6
6–4=2
The 1st operation to
do in this equation is
multiplication.
The 1st operation to
do in this equation is
division
BEDMAS = Addition & Subtraction
The last two steps to look for in a problem
are Addition and Subtraction. Solve these
after completing all of the math in
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication,
and Division.
Ex: 5 + 4 – 6
5+4=9
9–6=3
Ex: 10 – 7 + 4
10 – 7 = 3
3+4=7
In this problem you do
the Adding first
because you have to
solve from left to right.
In this problem you do
the subtraction first
because you solve from
left to right.
 When you have a number beside a bracket without a
function sign, this means the numbers are multiplied
together.
 3⁴ + 7(2+4) – 1
 When evaluated this means
3⁴ + 7 × (2+4) - 1
 Solving brackets first
3⁴ + 7 × (6) - 1
 Exponent next
81 + 7 × (6) – 1
 Multiply next
81 + 42 – 1
 Adding/ Subtract Left to Right
81+ 42 – 1 =
Answer
123 - 1 = 122
2⁴ + 4(9+3) – 1
s
Sometimes you will have an equation that uses a fraction bar. This fraction bar
acts like a grouping symbol, like brackets. Function in numerator position is
completed first. Then function in denominator position is completed. (In this
case there is no function) and then the numerator is divided by the
denominator.

7 – 1 + 5²

2
 Exponents (7 – 1) ÷ 2 +25

Then = 6 ÷ 2 + 25
= 3 + 25
= 28
9

– 3 + 3²
3
Here are a few for you to try.
1.
4 × (6 - 1) + 2 + 2 =
2.
(4 + 5) + 2 - 3 + 6 X 2=
3.
(6 + 5) × 2 + 7 × 3 - 6 =
4.
6 x 5 + 2 + (5 - 2 ) =
5.
3
6.
½ (6-2) + (5 – 2) x 6=
7.
7 -3
2

+ 1° x 2
+ 2(6 - 4)=
+ (8+4) =
Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
4 × (6 - 1) + 2 + 2 = 24
(4 + 5) + 2 - 3 + 6 X 2= 20
(6 + 5) × 2 + 7 × 3 - 6 = 37
6 x 5 + 2 + (5 - 2 ) = 35
3 + 1° x 2 + 2(6 - 4)= 21
½ (6-2) + (5 – 2) x 6= 20
7 - 3 + (8+4) = 14
2