The order of operations is a set of rules that defines the order in which different mathematical operations should be performed. These operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and parentheses. The purpose of the order of operations is to ensure that everyone gets the same answer when evaluating mathematical expressions.
One common acronym to remember the order of operations is PEMDAS:
Let's go through an example to demonstrate the order of operations:
Example 1: Evaluate the expression 4 + 5 * 3.
According to the order of operations, we should perform the multiplication before the addition. So, 5 * 3 equals 15. Then, add 4 to 15 to get the final answer of 19.
Example 2: Evaluate the expression (6 + 2) * 42.
First, simplify the expression inside the parentheses: 6 + 2 equals 8. Then, evaluate the exponent: 42 equals 16. Finally, multiply 8 by 16 to get the final answer of 128.
Here are some tips to master the order of operations:
Remembering and applying the order of operations is crucial for solving math problems accurately. Understanding these rules will help you simplify complex expressions and equations with confidence.