Math · K-12

Order of Operations (PEMDAS) Facts

Order of operations rules with worked mini-examples showing common mistakes to avoid.

27 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

Study this set free Get FlashKeepers for iPhone
What does PEMDAS stand for?
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
Which operation is performed first in order of operations?
Parentheses (anything inside parentheses)
Which operation is performed second in order of operations?
Exponents
Do multiplication and division have the same precedence level?
Yes, they are equal and evaluated left to right
Do addition and subtraction have the same precedence level?
Yes, they are equal and evaluated left to right
Solve: 2 + 3 * 4
14
Solve: 10 - 3 - 2
5
Solve: 12 / 3 / 2
2
Solve: 2^3 + 1
9
Solve: (2 + 3)^2
25
In the expression 8 / 2 * 4, which operation comes first?
Division, because they have equal precedence and you work left to right
Solve: 6 + 2 * 3^2
24
What is a common mistake when solving 10 - 5 + 2?
Subtracting in the wrong direction, or doing addition before subtraction. Correct: 7 (work left to right)
What is a common mistake when solving 20 / 4 * 2?
Multiplying before dividing. Correct: 10 (work left to right)
Why do we need order of operations?
So everyone solves the same expression the same way and gets the same answer

12 more cards in the app