Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that is to be followed in a particular

sequence while solving an expression. In mathematics with the word
operations we mean, the process of evaluating any mathematical
expression, involving arithmetic operations such as division, multiplication,
addition, and subtraction. Let us learn in detail about the order of operations
rules and how well we can remember the rules using short tricks.

What is the Order of Operations?

The order of Operations is the rule in math that states we evaluate the
parentheses/brackets first, the exponents/the orders second, division or
multiplication third (from left to right, whichever comes first), and the
addition or subtraction at the last (from left to right, whichever comes first).
In math, there might be several operations to be done while evaluating an
expression, and simplification at the end yields different results. However,
we can only have one correct answer for any sort of expression. To identify
the correct answer we simplify any given mathematical expression using a
certain set of rules. These rules revolve around all the basic operators used
in maths. Operators such as addition (+), subtraction (-), division (÷), and
multiplication (×). Look at the given image to get a glimpse of how the order
of operations exactly looks like.
Order of Operations Definition
As we discussed above Order of operations can be defined as, a set of basic
rules of precedence we use while solving any mathematical expression,
involving multiple operations. When a subexpression appears between two
operators, the operator that comes first according to the list given below
should be applied first. The order of operations, rules are expressed here:

 Brackets ( ), { }, [ ]
 Exponents
 Division (÷) and Multiplication (×)
 Addition (+) and Subtraction (-)

The above-mentioned set of rules always varies according to the respective

given mathematical expressions.

Order of Operations Rules

While performing any sort of an operation on the respective numbers present
in the expression we will follow the given basic rules in the particular
sequence.

Order of Operations Rule 1: Observe the expression. The first rule is to

solve the numbers present inside the parentheses or brackets. We solve
inside to out grouping operations. Note the pattern of brackets present in the
expression, there is a particular order to solve the parentheses, i.e.,
[ { ( ) } ]. First, solve the round brackets ( ) → curly brackets { } → box
brackets [ ]. Inside the parantheses the order of operations are to be
followed.
Order of Operations Rule 2: After solving the numbers in the parentheses,
look for any term present in the form of exponents and solve it.
Order of Operations Rule 3: Now we are left with the basic four operators.
Look for the numbers with the operation of multiplication or division, solve
them from left to right.
Order of Operations Rule 4: Lastly, look for the terms with addition or
subtraction and solve them from left to right.
These rules have a specific acronym name. We call
them PEMDAS or BODMAS. Let us learn now what exactly PEMDAS or
BODMAS is.

Order of Operations - PEMDAS vs BODMAS

The PEMDAS or BODMAS is the two different acronym names given to learn
the rules. These two names state the order in which the operations in an
expression should be followed. Here is the detailed term for each letter used
in the mentioned acronyms. First, we will discuss the PEMDAS.

Order of Operations PEMDAS

 P stands for Parentheses ( ), { }, [ ]
 E stands for Exponents (a2) (For example, here, a is a number with
exponent 2)
 M stands for Multiplication (×)
 D stands for Division (÷)
 A stands for Addition (+)
 S stands for Subtraction (-)

Order of Operations BODMAS

 B stands for Brackets ( ), { }, [ ]
 O stands for Order
 D stands for Division (÷)
 M stands for Multiplication (×)
 A stands for Addition (+)
 S stands for Subtraction (-)

With the help of the above denotations, we can easily solve the
mathematical expressions and get the correct answer.

How to Use Order of Operations?

Let us look at the different examples mentioned below to understand the
accuracy of the rules used in order of operations.

1) For solving parentheses in order of operations:

Expression: 4 × (5 + 2)
Solution: 4 × (7) = 28 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way to solve the parentheses)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
4 × (5 + 2) = 20 + 2 = 22 (Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way to solve the
parentheses)

2) For solving exponents in order of operations

Expression: 4 × (52)
Solution: 4 × (25) = 100 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way to solve the exponents)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
4 × (52) = 202 = 400 ((Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way to solve the exponents)

3) For multiplication or division and addition or subtraction

Expression: 3 + 5 × 2
Solution: 3 + 5 × 2 = 3 + 10 = 13 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way.)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
3 + 5 × 2 = 8 × 2 = 16 (Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way.)

Expression: 3 - 6 ÷ 2
Solution: 3 - 6 ÷ 2 = 3 - 3 = 0 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way.)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
3 - 6 ÷ 2 = (-3) ÷ 2 = -3/2 (Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way.)

Always remember while following the rules of order of operations do

multiplication or division before addition or subtraction

Ways to Remember Order of Operations

We just read about the two different words PEMDAS and BODMAS. This is the
best way to remember the order of operations. PEMDAS can be remembered
by the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". In the order of operations,
it means "Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition
and Subtraction". Here multiplication and division, addition and subtraction
are together. Similarly, we can remember the order of operations with the
word BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and
Subtraction.).

The easiest way to learn the order of operation is to perform the given steps:

 Start simplifying terms within the brackets first

 Solve the exponential terms.
 Perform division or multiplication.
 Perform addition or subtraction.
Note: While performing the order of operations on any given expression, we
must observe the pattern of operators.

Real-Life Applications of Order of Operations

A lot of activities in our life require some sort of order of operation to perform
it well. Let us take an everyday problem. Suppose you went to purchase five
pepperoni pizzas that cost $20 each, and you want to split the total cost
among 5 people evenly. To find out how much each person needs to pay let's
use the order of operations here.

Total number of people = 5

Total number of pizzas = 5
Cost of one pizza = $20
Let us frame an expression using PEMDAS:
Expression: (20 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 20) ÷ 5 or (5 × 20) ÷ 5
Solution: According to PEMDAS or BODMAS we will first solve the
parentheses.
(100) ÷ 5 = 20
According to the order of operations, each person needs to pay $20.

Similar to the above-mentioned problem, we have many day-to-day real-life

instances where we use order of operations to deal with our problems.

Order of Operations Examples

 Example 1: Help Jack in solving the following problem with the
help of order of operations rules.
a) 18 ÷ (9 - 2 × 3)

Solution : Given expression: 18 ÷ (9 - 2 × 3)

According to the order of operations rule, we have to solve parentheses
first. Please note here inside the parentheses we have two operations
present, multiplication, and subtraction.
First, multiply 2 × 3 = 6
18 ÷ (9 - 6)
Now subtract 6 from 9,
18 ÷ (3)
Now divide
18 ÷ 3 = 6
 Example 2: Simplify the given expression using the order of
operations rules.
(6 × 2 - 6 - 1) × 22

Solution: We know that the order of operation follows either PEMDAS or

BODMAS. Let us follow the order of operations rules and simplify the
given expression.

Step 1: First, we need to solve the numbers within the parentheses.

Multiply 6 by 2 in the given expression, (6 × 2 - 6 - 1) × 22, we get, (12 - 6
- 1) × 22.
Step 2- Now, we need to subtract 6 from 12 inside the bracket, so, we
get, (6 - 1) × 22.
Step 3- Remove parentheses after subtracting 6 - 1, we get, 5 × 2 2.
Step 4- Solve exponent, i.e 22 = 4.

∴ (6 × 2 - 6 - 1) × 22 = 20.
Step 5- Multiply 5 by 4 to get the final answer, which is, 5 × 4 = 20.

 Example 3: Evaluate the expression using the order of

operations: (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 32) ÷ ((2 + 1)2 + 16 ÷ 2)

Solution: Let us see how we can apply the rules of the order of
operations in solving the given expression.
Step 1: First, we need to simplify the innermost bracket, (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 3 2)
÷ (32 + 16 ÷ 2)
Step 2: Now we have to evaluate exponents, (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 9) ÷ (9 + 16
÷ 2)
Step 3: Now, we need to divide 9 by 9 and 16 by 2 inside the brackets,
and we get, (1 + 20 − 1) ÷ (9 + 8)
Step 4: Adding 1 and 20 we get 21. Now subtract 1 from 21 we get 20.
Now, (20) ÷ (9 + 8)

Step 6: ∴ (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 32) ÷ ((2 + 1)2 + 16 ÷ 2) = 20/17

Step 5: Add 9 + 8 and divide the result by 20. 20 ÷ 17 = 20/17

 Example 4: Solve the statement problem using the order of

operations.
If 72 is divided by the sum of 4 and 5, then subtracted from 10,
what will be the final answer?

Solution:
Let us first write the given statement into mathematical form. 10 - [72 ÷
(4 + 5)]
Using the order of operations rules this expression can be simplified as:
= 10 - [72 ÷ (4 + 5)]
= 10 - [72 ÷ 9]
= 10 - 8
∴ 10 - [72 ÷ (4 + 5)] = 2
=2