4. Order of Operations

This is the term to burn into your brain: PEMDAS. This will help you to
remember the order in which you can combine numbers.
P: Parenthesis
E: Exponents

M: Multiplication
D: Division

A: Addition
S: Subtraction

Multiplication/division are equal in order. Just work left to right. Addition/subtraction are also equal. Again, left to right.

Here’s and example:
We have an addition and multiplication step. Many would want to work left to right and add first, but that will get you the wrong answer. The proper steps are:


Now, lets throw in some parenthesis. Some would again go
left to right especially since the first operation is division, but that would get another wrong answer. Always work within the parenthesis first.



These types of problems get complicated quickly.

Always work within parenthesis first

Be careful of your signs!!!!

Sometimes the problems are in this form:

Always work slowly and write down every step

Practice problems and answers.