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Order of Operations
The order of operations is a set of rules that is to be followed in a particular sequence
while solving an expression. In mathematics with the word operations we mean, the
process of evaluating any mathematical expression, involving arithmetic operations
such as division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction. Let us learn in detail about
the order of operations rules and how well we can remember the rules using short
tricks.

What is the Order of Operations?

The order of Operations is the rule in math that states we evaluate the
parentheses/brackets first, the exponents/the orders second, division or
multiplication third (from left to right, whichever comes first), and the addition or
subtraction at the last (from left to right, whichever comes first). In math, there
might be several operations to be done while evaluating an expression, and
simplification at the end yields different results. However, we can only have one
correct answer for any sort of expression. To identify the correct answer we simplify
any given mathematical expression using a certain set of rules. These rules revolve
around all the basic operators used in maths. Operators such as addition (+),
subtraction (-), division (÷), and multiplication (×). Look at the given image to get a
glimpse of how the order of operations exactly looks like.

Order of Operations Definition

As we discussed above Order of operations can be defined as, a set of basic rules of
precedence we use while solving any mathematical expression, involving multiple
operations. When a subexpression appears between two operators, the operator
that comes first according to the list given below should be applied first. The order of
operations, rules are expressed here:

Brackets ( ), { }, [ ]
Exponents
Division (÷) and Multiplication (×)
Addition (+) and Subtraction (-)

The above-mentioned set of rules always varies according to the respective given
mathematical expressions.

Order of Operations Rules

While performing any sort of an operation on the respective numbers present in the
expression we will follow the given basic rules in the particular sequence.

Order of Operations Rule 1: Observe the expression. The first rule is to solve the
numbers present inside the parentheses or brackets. We solve inside to out grouping
operations. Note the pattern of brackets present in the expression, there is a
particular order to solve the parentheses, i.e., [ { ( ) } ]. First, solve the round brackets
( ) → curly brackets { } → box brackets [ ]. Inside the parantheses the order of
operations are to be followed.
Order of Operations Rule 2: After solving the numbers in the parentheses, look for
any term present in the form of exponents and solve it.
Order of Operations Rule 3: Now we are left with the basic four operators. Look for
the numbers with the operation of multiplication or division, solve them from left to
right.
Order of Operations Rule 4: Lastly, look for the terms with addition or subtraction
and solve them from left to right.

These rules have a specific acronym name. We call them PEMDAS or BODMAS. Let
us learn now what exactly PEMDAS or BODMAS is.

Order of Operations - PEMDAS vs BODMAS

The PEMDAS or BODMAS is the two different acronym names given to learn the
rules. These two names state the order in which the operations in an expression
should be followed. Here is the detailed term for each letter used in the mentioned
acronyms. First, we will discuss the PEMDAS.

Order of Operations PEMDAS

P stands for Parentheses ( ), { }, [ ]

E stands for Exponents (a2) (For example, here, a is a number with exponent 2)
M stands for Multiplication (×)
D stands for Division (÷)
A stands for Addition (+)
S stands for Subtraction (-)

Order of Operations BODMAS

B stands for Brackets ( ), { }, [ ]

O stands for Order
D stands for Division (÷)
M stands for Multiplication (×)
A stands for Addition (+)
S stands for Subtraction (-)

With the help of the above denotations, we can easily solve the mathematical
expressions and get the correct answer.

How to Use Order of Operations?

Let us look at the different examples mentioned below to understand the accuracy of
the rules used in order of operations.

1) For solving parentheses in order of operations:

Expression: 4 × (5 + 2)
Solution: 4 × (7) = 28 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way to solve the parentheses)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
4 × (5 + 2) = 20 + 2 = 22 (Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way to solve the
parentheses)

2) For solving exponents in order of operations

Expression: 4 × (52)
Solution: 4 × (25) = 100 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way to solve the exponents)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.

4 × (52) = 202 = 400 ((Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way to solve the exponents)

3) For multiplication or division and addition or subtraction

Expression: 3 + 5 × 2
Solution: 3 + 5 × 2 = 3 + 10 = 13 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way.)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
3 + 5 × 2 = 8 × 2 = 16 (Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way.)

Expression: 3 - 6 ÷ 2
Solution: 3 - 6 ÷ 2 = 3 - 3 = 0 (Correct (✔). This is a correct way.)
Let us look at another approach for the same expression.
3 - 6 ÷ 2 = (-3) ÷ 2 = -3/2 (Incorrect (✘). This is an incorrect way.)

Always remember while following the rules of order of operations do multiplication or

division before addition or subtraction

Ways to Remember Order of Operations

We just read about the two different words PEMDAS and BODMAS. This is the best
way to remember the order of operations. PEMDAS can be remembered by the
phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". In the order of operations, it means
"Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and
Subtraction". Here multiplication and division, addition and subtraction are
together. Similarly, we can remember the order of operations with the word
BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction.).

The easiest way to learn the order of operation is to perform the given steps:

Start simplifying terms within the brackets first

Solve the exponential terms.
Perform division or multiplication.
Perform addition or subtraction.

Note: While performing the order of operations on any given expression, we must
observe the pattern of operators.

Real-Life Applications of Order of Operations

A lot of activities in our life require some sort of order of operation to perform it well.
Let us take an everyday problem. Suppose you went to purchase five pepperoni
pizzas that cost $20 each, and you want to split the total cost among 5 people
evenly. To find out how much each person needs to pay let's use the order of
operations here.

Total number of people = 5

Total number of pizzas = 5
Cost of one pizza = $20
Let us frame an expression using PEMDAS:
Expression: (20 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 20) ÷ 5 or (5 × 20) ÷ 5
Solution: According to PEMDAS or BODMAS we will first solve the parentheses.
(100) ÷ 5 = 20
According to the order of operations, each person needs to pay $20.

Similar to the above-mentioned problem, we have many day-to-day real-life

instances where we use order of operations to deal with our problems.

☛Related Articles on Order of Operations

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Order of Operations Examples

Example 1: Help Jack in solving the following problem with the help of
order of operations rules.
a) 18 ÷ (9 - 2 × 3)

Solution : Given expression: 18 ÷ (9 - 2 × 3)

According to the order of operations rule, we have to solve parentheses first.
Please note here inside the parentheses we have two operations present,
multiplication, and subtraction.
First, multiply 2 × 3 = 6
18 ÷ (9 - 6)
Now subtract 6 from 9,
18 ÷ (3)
Now divide
18 ÷ 3 = 6

Example 2: Simplify the given expression using the order of operations

rules.

​(6 × 2 - 6 - 1) × 22

Solution: We know that the order of operation follows either PEMDAS or

BODMAS. Let us follow the order of operations rules and simplify the given
expression.

Step 1: First, we need to solve the numbers within the parentheses. Multiply

6 by 2 in the given expression, ​(6 × 2 - 6 - 1) × 22, we get, (12 - 6 - 1) × 22.

Step 2- Now, we need to subtract 6 from 12 inside the bracket, so, we get, (6 -

1) × 22.

Step 3- Remove parentheses after subtracting 6 - 1, we get, 5 × 22.

Step 4- Solve exponent, i.e 22 = 4.

Step 5- Multiply 5 by 4 to get the final answer, which is, 5 × 4 = 20.

∴ ​(6 × 2 - 6 - 1) × 22 = 20.

Example 3: Evaluate the expression using the order of operations: (1 + 20

− 9 ÷ 32) ÷ ((2 + 1)2 + 16 ÷ 2)

Solution: Let us see how we can apply the rules of the order of operations in
solving the given expression.

Step 1: First, we need to simplify the innermost bracket, (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 32) ÷

(32 + 16 ÷ 2)
Step 2: Now we have to evaluate exponents, (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 9) ÷ (9 + 16 ÷ 2)
Step 3: Now, we need to divide 9 by 9 and 16 by 2 inside the brackets, and we
get, (1 + 20 − 1) ÷ (9 + 8)
Step 4: Adding 1 and 20 we get 21. Now subtract 1 from 21 we get 20. Now,
(20) ÷ (9 + 8)
Step 5: Add 9 + 8 and divide the result by 20. 20 ÷ 17 = 20/17

Step 6: ∴ (1 + 20 − 9 ÷ 32) ÷ ((2 + 1)2 + 16 ÷ 2) = 20/17

Example 4: Solve the statement problem using the order of operations.

If 72 is divided by the sum of 4 and 5, then subtracted from 10, what will be
the final answer?

Solution:
Let us first write the given statement into mathematical form. 10 - [72 ÷ (4 +
5)]
Using the order of operations rules this expression can be simplified as:
= 10 - [72 ÷ (4 + 5)]
= 10 - [72 ÷ 9]
= 10 - 8
=2
∴ 10 - [72 ÷ (4 + 5)] = 2

Practice Questions on Order of Operations

Q.1

Simplify the given expression using the rules of the order of operations.

[130 + {−18 − (45 − 55) × 2}] ÷ 2 =

Check Answer

Q.2. Using the rules of the order of operations determine which of the following
expressions is equal to 1?

2+2÷2×2

2 + (2 ÷ 2) × 2

(2 + 2) ÷ 2 × 2

(2 + 2) ÷ (2 × 2)

Check Answer

FAQs on Order of Operations

What is the Order of Operations in Math?

How to Solve Order of Operations?

How to Do Order of Operations with Integers?

How to Remember Order of Operations?

How to do Order of Operations with Exponents?

What is the Correct Order of Operations?

What is the Order of Operations without Parentheses?

When Do We Use Order of Operations?

What Operation Is Completed First In the Order of Operations?

What is the Use of Order of Operation Calculator?

What Are the 4 Order of Operations?

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