EVALUATING

ACADEMIC READINESS
FOR APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

MATHEMATICS SKILL # 2
ORDER OF OPERATIONS

AN ACADEMIC SKILLS MANUAL

for
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN
&
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICIAN
APPRENTICES

Workplace Support Services Branch

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

Revised April 2001

In preparing these Academic Skills Manuals we have used passages, diagrams and questions
similar to those an apprentice might find in a text, guide or
trade manual. This trade related material is not intended to instruct
you in your trade. It is used only to
demonstrate how understanding an academic skill will help
you find and use the information you need.

Before you do this skill manual, it might be a good idea to review the following skills:
Skill #1: Whole Number Operations
Skill # 3: Operations With Fractions
Skill # 4: Operations With Decimals
MATHEMATICS SHEET #2:
ORDER OF OPERATIONS

Academic Skills Manuals provide information

about academic skills required by
Construction and Maintenance Electrician &
Industrial Electrician Apprentices

INTRODUCTION ORDER MATTERS

In the electronics part of your course, you Let’s look more closely at a simpler example
have to find the total resistance in a series- that requires several operations to find the
parallel circuit. Resistance is measured in answer:
Ohms (S) using this formula:
24 ! 4 x 5 + 10 ÷ 2 = ?
Rt = R1 x R2
R1 + R2 First, we will do the operations in the order
in which they occur. The operations being
If R1 is 6 S and R2 is 18 S, the equation is done on each line are in brackets.
written:
(24 ! 4) x 5 + 10 ÷ 2
Rt = 6 S x 18 S = (20 x 5) + 10 ÷ 2
6 S + 18 S = (100 + 10) ÷ 2
= (110 ÷ 2)
How do you proceed? Do you divide = 55
everything on the top first by 6 and then by
18? Can you cross out numbers on the top Second, we will do all multiplication and
with numbers on the bottom? Each way of division first, then addition and subtraction:
proceeding results in a different answer.
You can’t have several right answers to the 24 ! (4 x 5) + (10 ÷ 2)
same question, so there must be one correct = (24 ! 20 + 5)
way to proceed. The order to use in a =9
mathematical question are explained in the
rules called Order of Operations. Third, now let’s add and subtract first, then
multiply and divide:
This skill manual will describe these rules of
order so you can accurately solve questions (24 ! 4) x (5 + 10) ÷ 2
like the above. = (20 x 15) ÷ 2
= (300 ÷ 2)
= 150
We ended up with three different answers to
the same question. The order in which we

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
Workplace Support Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities April 2001

did the math operations affected the answer. Order of operations is a basic math skill
To make sure that everyone ends up with the used all the time. For example, say you
same answer for the same math question, charge $45.00 an hour for labour. You have
rules for the order in which to do the completed a job that took 1 ½ hours. You
different operations were developed. used 150 feet of copper cable that costs
$1.89 per foot and assorted connectors that
ORDER OF OPERATIONS FOR BASIC cost $30.99.
CALCULATIONS
To calculate the bill, you first multiply the
Here are the first two rules for Order of number of hours (1 ½) by $45.00 to get
Operations: $67.50. You calculate the 7% GST on the
• First, do all multiplication and division labour costs ($4.53). Multiply the number
in the order in which they appear from of feet of cable by $1.89 and add that answer
left to right. to $30.99 to get material costs ($59.34).
• Next, do all addition and subtraction in Calculate 15% tax on the materials cost
the order in which they appear from left ($8.90). Now add all of the costs and taxes
to right. to arrive at the final bill. In calculating this
bill, you use an understanding of the first
This means you first go through the question two rules of order of operations several
multiplying the numbers on each side of any times.
multiplication sign (x) and dividing the
numbers on each side of any division sign Let’s look at some questions that require you
(÷), working from left to right as the signs to use the rules for order of operations. The
appear. You rewrite the question, putting operations of multiplication and division are
the multiplication and division answers in highlighted with bold print to show they are
the question where they occur. Then, again done first.
working from left to right, you add and
subtract until you have a final number as Example:
your answer.
56 ÷ 7 ! 6 + 5 x 4 ÷ 2
According to this rule, the second example = 8 ! 6 + 20 ÷ 2
gives the correct answer. Multiplication and = 8 ! 6 + 10 = 12
division were done first in the order that they
appeared; then addition and subtraction Example:
were done in the order that they appeared.
9 + (36 ÷ 6) ! (5 x 3)
Caution! Be careful to read each question from = 9 + 6 ! 15
beginning to end before you start making
=0
calculations. T hen do the q uestions one step at a
time. Write each step as you do it. Pay careful
attention to the signs as you copy them. If you write
down a subtraction sign instead of an addition sign, or
a division sign instead of a multiplication sign, the
error will make your answer incorrect. Be sure you
are accurate.

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
Workplace Support Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities April 2001

ORDER OF OPERATIONS FOR Brackets can mean multiplication

BRACKETS AND EXPONENTS Any number directly in front of another
number in brackets indicates that the two
The above rules for order of operations numbers are to be multiplied. The brackets
cover the basic situations. However, there are considered a multiplication sign.
are other questions you will have to solve
that might include brackets and exponents. Example:
We will look at the rules for order of
operations concerning these elements. 5 (21) means 5 multiplied by 21
5 (21) = 105
Working with Brackets
Brackets, or parentheses, can be written as Sometimes there are several numbers and
( ), [ ] or { }. They are used to set off certain operations to be done inside brackets, and
numbers, or to indicate multiplication. there is also a number in front of the bracket.
You still need to multiply by the number
In our first example on page 1, brackets outside the brackets, but only after all the
were used to indicate which operations were operations inside the brackets have been
being done on each line. In this case, the done, leaving a single number.
brackets were simply removed as you
completed each step in order to continue. Example: Simplify 8(6 + 12 ÷ 4 ! 1).
However, questions with brackets are often
more complicated. Do operations in brac kets, in order, first. Then
multiply.

Brackets affect the order of operations 8(6 + 12 ÷ 4 ! 1) 12 ÷ 4 = 3

Numbers grouped inside brackets in an 8(6 + 3 ! 1) 6 + 3 !1 = 8

equation affect the order of operations. = 8(8) multiply 8 x 8

When a question includes numbers inside = 64

brackets, use the following steps:
Note: Formulas use letters to represent different
quantities whose am ounts can vary. If these
• All operations inside the brackets are quantities are to be multiplied the two letters
done first. representing the quantities are written right beside
• Inside the brackets, follow the rule for each other, instead of using a multiplication sign or
Order of Operations. Do multiplication putting o ne num ber in b racke ts. A common examp le
is the formula for area of a rectangle, usually written
and division first in the order they as:
appear, then do addition and subtraction.
• When you have a single number left A = lw
inside the brackets, remove the brackets.
A stands for area, l stands for length and w stands for
width. To find the area, the length and width are
If, however, there is a number directly in multiplied. This is indicated in the formula by
front of the bracket, you must do one more writing the letters for length and width beside each
step in removing the brackets. A number other, as lw.
directly in front of a bracket tells you that
the final number in the brackets is to be
multiplied by the number in front.

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
Workplace Support Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities April 2001

Parentheses inside brackets Finally, multiply to get the final answer.

If there are parentheses inside brackets, = 99
always start with the innermost brackets and
work your way out. Let’s look at the steps As you gain confidence, you can combine
used in this situation: several steps in the same line, but keep the
order of operations straight and be accurate
Example: Simplify 4{3 + [7 + (4 ! 2)]}. with the operation signs in each step. In the
next example, everything in the inner
First do the innermost grouping. bracket is done in one step, then everything
4{3 + [7 + (4 ! 2)]} (4 ! 2) = 2 in the outer bracket is done in one step.

Then do the next grouping. Example:

4{3 + [7 + 2]} [7 + 2] = 9
15 + 3[4 + 2(45 ÷ 5 ! 6) ! 8]
Do the last grouping. = 15 + 3[4 + 2(3) ! 8]
4{3 + 9} {3 + 9} = 12 = 15 + 3[2]
There is no w a single numb er in brackets. Mu ltiply
= 21
the 12 in brac kets by the num ber in fro nt.
4{12} = 48 In the following examples, we have
highlighted the operations in each step so
Example: Simplify 4(6 + 3) ! (6 ! 3). you can follow the order. Sometimes more
than one step is done in a line.
Do operations in each set of brackets first.
4(9) ! (3) Example:

Now remove the brackets. Only the number inside 42 ÷ 14 + 2(16 ! 18 ÷ 3) ! 16

the first set of brackets needs to be multiplied by the = 42 ÷ 14 + 2(16 ! 6) ! 16
number in front. Simply remove the brackets from
= 42 ÷ 14 + 2(10) ! 16
the second number.
= 3 + 20 ! 16
36 ! 3 4 x 9 = 36
= 23 ! 16
Finally, sub tract.
=7
36 ! 3 = 33
Example:
Example: Simplify 9[14 ! 3(2 + 1) ÷ 3].
5[189 ÷ 9 (17 - 7 x 2) ! 1] ÷ 2
Start with the inside brackets. = 5[189 ÷ 9(17 - 14) ! 1] ÷ 2
9[14 ! 3(2 +1) ÷ 3] 2+1=3 = 5[189 ÷ 9(3) ! 1] ÷ 2
= 9[14 ! 3(3) ÷ 3] = 5[21(3) ! 1] ÷ 2
= 5(63 ! 1) ÷ 2
Multiply and divide inside the b rackets.
= 5(62) ÷ 2
= 9[14 ! 9 ÷ 3] 3(3) = 9
= 310 ÷ 2
= 9[14 ! 3] 9÷3=3
= 155
Subtract inside the b rackets.
= 9[11] 14 - 3 = 11

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
Workplace Support Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities April 2001

Most situations you face will not have as Exponents

many number operations to do as the An exponent is a short way of indicating
examples above. You might, however, be how many times a number is to be
required to calculate the amount of wire and multiplied by itself. It is written as a small
equipment needed to install the electrical number to the right of and slightly above the
system on the floor of a new office building. number to be multiplied. In the expression
First you have to find the area of the floor. 52, the exponent 2 tells you to multiply the 5
Say there are three different offices, one by itself two times, as 5 x 5 = 25.
measuring 40 feet by 35 feet, one office
measuring 20 feet by 25 feet and the other You use exponents in some formulas. For
measuring 55 feet by 60 feet. To find the example, you calculate the area of the
total area the formula is: opening of a pipe using the formula:

Total area = (lw)1 + (lw)2 + (lw)3 Area = B r2.

First fill in the given amounts. You know that letters If there is an exponent in an equation, the
written beside each other in the form ula (lw) ind icate following rule determines what order to use:
multiplication.

• Do the operations inside any brackets

A = (40 x 35) + (20 x 25) + (55 x 60) first, then multiply any exponents.
Using the rules for order of operations, do the
calculations inside the brackets first. Example: 9 + 7 ! 42 ÷ 2

There are no b racke ts so multiply the exp onent first.

A= 1400 + 500 + 3300
= 9 + 7 ! 16 ÷ 2 4 2 = 4 x 4 = 16

Now d o the addition.

Continue, following order o f operations.
A = 5200
= 9 + 7 !8
=8
The total area is 5200 square feet.
If there is an exponent just after and outside
Here are some examples for you to fill in the
brackets, do the operations inside the
blanks:
brackets and multiply that answer by the
exponent.
1. 64 ÷ 8 + 10 x 3
= ___ + ___
= 38 Example:
8(4 ! 1 + 2)2 + 9 brackets first
(Did you get 8 + 30 in the blanks?)
= 8(5)2 + 9 exponent next, 5 2 = 5 x 5
= 8(25) + 9 multiply
2. 4(45 ÷ 9 - 3) + 8(6 - 3) -12
= 200 + 9 add
= 4(___ ) + 8(___) -12
(Did you get 2 and 3 in the blanks?) = 209
= ____ + ____ - 12
= 20

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
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DECIMAL NUMBERS the rules we just learned, we can finish

solving the problem.
Whether you are working with whole
numbers, decimal numbers or fractions, the Rt = 6 S x 18 S
rules for order of operations apply. Here is 6 S + 18 S
an example with decimal numbers.
Multiply the top line. Separately add the bottom line.
Example:
1.5(5.6 ! 2.6) + (5 ! 3) ! 2.5 ÷ .5 Rt = 108 S
= 1.5(3) + (2) ! 5 24 S
= 4.5 + 2 ! 5
The fraction line indicates division. Finish the
= 1.5 question by dividing the bottom number into the top
numb er.
FRACTIONS
Rt = 4.5 S
If you have numbers above and below a
fraction line, do the operations above and SUMMARY
below the line separately. Remember that a
fraction line indicates division. To finish the You use the rules for order of operations in
question, divide the final answer above the all your calculations, especially those
line by the final answer below the line. involving formulas. Here is a summary of
the rules for order of operations:
Example: # If there are brackets, do all operations
6(20 ÷ 5) + 48 ÷ 8 ! 2 x 5 inside the brackets first, following the
16 ÷ 8 + 2(9) ! 10 rules below.
# If there are rounded brackets ( ) within
Do inside b racke ts first, then divid e and multiply. square brackets [ ], work out answers for
6(20 ÷ 5) + 48 ÷ 8 ! 2 x 5 the innermost brackets first.
16 ÷ 8 + 2(9) ! 10 # Multiply out numbers with exponents.
# Do all multiplication (remember
= 6(4) + 6 ! 10 brackets can mean multiplication) and
2 + 18 ! 10 division in the order in which they are
Add and subtract. written from left to right.
= 24 + 6 ! 10 # Do all addition and subtraction next in
20 ! 10 the order in which they are written from
left to right to get a final answer.
Now divide. # If numbers are presented on both sides of
= 20 a fraction line, work out a final answer
10 on each side, then divide the top number
=2 by the bottom one to get a final answer.

The formula from the first page for finding And remember, in each step, be accurate
total resistance is actually a fraction. Using with the operations signs.

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
Workplace Support Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities April 2001

Bedmas No te: Division is listed before multiplication in

Some people use the word bedmas to remember bedmas, but do these operations in the order in which
correct order. The letters in bedmas list the first they appear from left to right. Addition is listed
letters of the operations in the order in which they before subtraction, but do these operations in the
should be done. order in which they appear.

b brackets
e exponents
d division
m multiplication
a addition
s subtraction

RULES FOR ORDER OF OPERATIONS

BEDMAS
1. Brackets: Do all operations in parentheses first, starting with the innermost group,
using the rules for the order of operations below.

2. Exponents: Multiply any exponents.

3. Division and Do all multiplication and division next in the order in which they appear
Multiplication: from left to right, remembering that a number in front of a number
inside brackets indicates the two numbers are to be multiplied.

4. Addition and Do all addition and subtraction in the order in which they appear from
Subtraction: left to right.

Find the value of each of the following. Answers are on the last page.
1. 64 ÷ 8 + 5 x 4 = 5. 7(42 ÷ 6) + 18 ! 2(14 ! 9) =

2. 6 + 4 x 7 ! 15 = 6. $5.59 + $4.60(3 ! 6 ÷ 3 + 2) ! $9.99 =

3. 9 x 6 ! 24 + 40 ÷ 8 + 3 x 2 = 7. 7.2 ÷ 8 + 3.6(6.6 ! 1.1) + 1.2 =

8. 3(25 ÷ 5) + 2 x 9 ! 12 ÷ 4 =
4. 36 ÷ 6 + 3(5 x 5) = 6 x 3 ! 49 ÷ 7 + 2(2)

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Evaluating Academic Readiness for Apprenticeship Training Revised
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ANSWER PAGE

1. 64 ÷ 8 + 5 x 4
= 8 + 20
= 28

2. 6 + 4 x 7 !15
= 6 + 28 !15
=19

3. 9 x 6 ! 24 + 40 ÷ 8 + 3 x 2
= 54 ! 24 + 5 + 6
= 41

4. 36 ÷ 6 + 3(5 x 5)
= 6 + 3(25)
= 6 + 75
= 81

5. 7(42 ÷ 6) + 18 ! 2(14 ! 9)
= 7(7) + 18 ! 2(5)
= 49 + 18 ! 10
= 57

6. $5.59 + $4.60(3 ! 6 ÷ 3 + 2 ) ! $9.99

= $5.59 + $4.60(3 ! 2 + 2) ! $9.99
= $5.59 + $4.60(3) ! $9.99
= $5.59 + $13.80 ! $9.99
= $9.40

7. 7.2 ÷ 8 + 3.6(6.6 ! 1.1) + 1.2

= 7.2 ÷ 8 + 3.6(5 .5) + 1.2
= .9 + 19.8 + 1.2
= 21.9

8. 3(25 ÷ 5) + 2 x 9 ! 12 ÷ 4
6 x 3 ! 49 ÷ 7 + 2(2)

= 3(5) + 18 ! 3
18 ! 7 + 4

= 30
15

=2

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