Order of Operations

Order of operations is a set of rules that defines the order in which calculations should be performed in a mathematical expression. The standard order of operations is:

1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
4. Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

Examples:

Simplify the following expressions using the order of operations:

1. (4 + 3) * 2
2. 5 + 2^3
3. 8 / 2 * 4
4. 12 - 3 * 2 + 5

Solution:

1. (4 + 3) * 2 = 7 * 2 = 14
2. 5 + 2^3 = 5 + 8 = 13
3. 8 / 2 * 4 = 4 * 4 = 16
4. 12 - 3 * 2 + 5 = 12 - 6 + 5 = 11

Study Tips:

1. Always start with parentheses and work from the innermost set outwards.
2. Remember that exponents take precedence over multiplication and division, which take precedence over addition and subtraction.
3. Use the acronym PEMDAS to help remember the order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction.