Order Of Operations

When solving math problems with multiple operations, we follow a specific order called PEMDAS (or GEMDAS). This stands for:

G - Grouping symbols (Parentheses, Brackets, Fraction bars, Square roots)
E - Exponents (like squaring a number)
M/D - Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
A/S - Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

Remember that for M/D and A/S, you don't always do multiplication before division or addition before subtraction. Instead, you work from left to right within each level. For example, in "18÷6×3," you'd do division first because it comes first from left to right.

💡 Think of PEMDAS as a set of rules for a game, not just something to memorize. These rules ensure everyone gets the same answer when solving complex problems!

Let's see this in action with an example: 12-5+7×3²+(10÷5)-2

1. Handle grouping symbols: Calculate (10÷5) = 2
2. Calculate exponents: 3² = 9
3. Do multiplication: 7×9 = 63
4. Work from left to right for remaining operations:
   • 12-5+63+2-2
   • 7+63+2-2
   • 70+0
   • 70

Now you can solve any expression with multiple operations correctly!