X2
¸
An operation is doing a mathematical process between two numbers, such as adding,
subtracting, multiplying, dividing, etc. Some math problems have more than one operation
to be performed. In these problems, the order in which you perform the operations can
make a big difference. In any problem that has more than one operation, there is only one
way to solve it; you must follow a particular order. The order of operations is:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction
Do whichever comes first left to right
Do whichever comes first left to right
An easy way to remember this is to remember the phrase “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally”.
The first letter of each word of this phrase represents the first letter of the order of operations.
When working problems like the ones below, you need to only perform
one operation at a time.
Problem:
5+3x2–4
5+6–4
11 – 4
Steps
1. Multiply
Problem: 35
2. Add
3. Subtract
7
¸ (9 – 2) – 4 +
35 ¸ 7 – 4 + 32
35 ¸ 7 – 4 + 9
5–4+9
1+9
32
Steps
1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Divide
4. Subtract
5. Add
10
Problem:
52 – 6 ¸ 2 + 1
25 – 6 ¸ 2 + 1
25 – 3 + 1
22 + 1
Steps
1. Exponents
2. Divide
3. Subtract
4. Add
Problem:
5)2
(2 x
+ (3 x 6)
102 + 18
100 + 18
Steps
1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Add
118
23
Try some practice problems and see if your answers match up.
1. (5 - 2) + 9 ¸ 3 = 6
2. 15 x 2 – 42 = 14
3. 10 + (5 x 2)2 ¸ 20 = 15
4. 7 + 15 ¸ 3 x 4 - 3 = 24
5. (62 x 2) ¸ (8 x 2 – 7) = 8
6. 2 + (5 – 1) x 3 = 14
7. 1 x 52 – 5 + (32 x 5) = 65
8. (7 – (2 x 3)) + 4 - 22 = 1
9. 13 + 2 x (3 x 4 – 7)2 = 63