Order of Operations

Study Sheet

Order of Operations

Which operation goes first

The Agreed Order

Concept
The Big Idea

Without a rule, 2+3×42 + 3 \times 4 could be 2020 or 1414. Everyone agrees to do multiplication and division before addition and subtraction, with brackets first of all.

Example
Evaluating 2+3×42 + 3 \times 4

Multiply first: 3×4=123 \times 4 = 12. Then add: 2+12=142 + 12 = 14.

In Plain Terms & More Examples

Concept
In plain terms

Do brackets first, then multiplication and division, and only then addition and subtraction — working left to right within each step. This agreed rule is the order of operations (often remembered as PEMDAS).

Example
Evaluating 10−2×310 - 2 \times 3

Multiply first: 2×3=62 \times 3 = 6. Then subtract: 10−6=410 - 6 = 4.

Example
Evaluating (6+2)×3(6 + 2) \times 3

Brackets first: 6+2=86 + 2 = 8. Then multiply: 8×3=248 \times 3 = 24.