In Mathematics, we do operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
These
operations are performed by a certain rule or say there is an order of operation. PEMDAS rule is
one of the rules which is exactly equal to BODMAS rule. The full form of PEMDAS is given below:
P – Parentheses [{()}]
E – Exponents (Powers and Roots)
MD- Multiplication and Division (left to right) (× and ÷)
AS – Addition and Subtraction (left to right) (+ and -)
whereas the full form of BODMAS is – Brackets Order Division Multiplication Addition and
Subtraction.
PEMDAS Rule
PEMDAS rule states that the order of operation starts with the parentheses first or the calculation
which is enclosed in brackets. Then the operation is performed on exponents(degree or square
roots) and later we do operations on multiplication & division and at last addition and subtraction.
Let us discuss in brief.
PEMDAS: Order of Operations
P: Solve the calculation or equation which are present in the parentheses or brackets like small brackets(
), curly brackets{ } or big brackets[ ]. Priority is given to brackets first.
E: Exponential expressions should be calculated first before the operations of multiplication, division,
addition and subtraction. Usually, they are expressed in power or roots, like 2 2 or √4.
MD: Then perform multiplication or division from left to right, whichever comes first in the equation.
AS: At last, perform addition or subtraction whichever comes first while moving from left to right.
PEMDAS Examples with Answers
Let us see how to solve different problems using PEMDAS rule in maths.
Example 1: Solve 58÷ (4 x 5) + 32
Solution:
58 ÷ (4 x 5) + 32
As per the PEMDAS rule, first, we have to perform the operation which is in the
parentheses.
= 58 ÷ 20 + 32
Now perform the exponent/power operation
= 58 ÷ 20 + 9
The division should be performed.
= 2.9 + 9
And the last, addition.
= 11.9
Therefore, 58 ÷ (4 x 5) + 32 = 11.9
Order of Operations
PEMDAS
Operations
"Operations" mean things like add, subtract, multiply, divide, squaring, etc. If it isn't
a number it is probably an operation.
But, when you see something like ...
7 + (6 × 52 + 3)
... what part should you calculate first?
Start at the left and go to the right?
Or go from right to left?
Warning: Calculate them in the wrong order, and you can get a wrong answer !
So, long ago people agreed to follow rules when doing calculations, and they are:
Order of Operations
Do things in Parentheses First
4 × (5 + 3) = 4 × 8 = 32
4 × (5 + 3) = 20 + 3 = 23 (wrong)
Exponents (Powers, Roots) before Multiply, Divide, Add or Subtract
5 × 22 = 5 × 4 = 20
5 × 22 = 102 = 100 (wrong)
Multiply or Divide before you Add or Subtract
2 + 5 × 3 = 2 + 15 = 17
2+5×3 =7×3 = 21 (wrong)
Otherwise just go left to right
30 ÷ 5 × 3 = 6 × 3 = 18
30 ÷ 5 × 3 = 30 ÷ 15 = 2 (wrong)
How Do I Remember It All ... ? PEMDAS !
P Parentheses first
E Exponents (ie Powers and Square Roots, etc.)
MD Multiplication and Division (left-to-right)
AS Addition and Subtraction (left-to-right)
Order of Operations (MDAS)
In this section, you are going to learn to use parentheses in your calculations. The reason to use
parentheses is to change the order of operations. But what is the order of operations?
The order of operations decides in which order you do your calculations. At this stage, I call the
order of operations MDAS (the initials of Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction).
Video Crash Courses
Want to watch animated videos and solve interactive exercises about MDAS? Click here to try the
Video Crash Course called “What Is the Order of Operations?”!
Rule
MDAS
First, do all Multiplication and Division.
Then, do all Addition and Subtraction.
Let’s take a look at some examples:
Example 1
Calculate 6+3⋅2.
Now, think MDAS. First you multiply and divide, then you add and subtract. Here’s how you do it:
6+3⋅2=6+6=12
Example 2
Calculate 4−2⋅6+3.
Think MDAS. First you multiply and divide, then you add and subtract. Here’s how you do it:
4−2⋅6+3=4−12+3=−5
Example 3
Calculate 12÷4−6+8⋅5.
Think MDAS. First you multiply and divide, then you add and subtract. Here is how you do it:
12÷4−6+8⋅5=3−6+40=−3+40=37
Example 4
Calculate 72÷8−6⋅4+16+32÷8.
Think MDAS. First you multiply and divide, then you add and subtract. Here’s how you do it:
72÷8−6⋅4+16+32÷8=9−24+16+4=5
So, in this problem
What do we do first here?
Multiplication gets done before subtraction!
