The order of operations is a standard set of rules used to determine the sequence in which calculations are performed in mathematical expressions. The common acronym to remember this order is PEMDAS:
- P - Parentheses
- E - Exponents
- M - Multiplication
- D - Division
- A - Addition
- S - Subtraction
It’s important to note that multiplication and division are performed from left to right, as are addition and subtraction.
Here's a breakdown of the steps:
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1st step: Parentheses - Calculate expressions inside parentheses first.
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2nd step: Exponents - Next, evaluate any exponents (powers or square roots).
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3rd step: Multiplication and Division - Perform multiplication and division from left to right.
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4th step: Addition and Subtraction - Finally, perform addition and subtraction from left to right.
For clarity, if both multiplication and division occur in the same expression, you work through them in the order they appear from left to right; the same applies for addition and subtraction.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you correctly evaluate mathematical expressions.