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Order of Operations
We have looked at addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. When multiple
operations are present within the same expression we need to work with a single
operation and two numbers at a time. The question is how do we select which
operation comes, first, second, third and does the order matter? In mathematics order
matters when multiple operations are present within the same expression. This
process is normally referred to as PEMDAS but, we will not use this term in this
class. The following is the order in which operations should be done:
Approach
1. We first do all the operations present within the brackets/parenthesis
a. Within the parenthesis you perform the operations utilizing the
order of operations. You can think of each parenthesis as an
equation.
2. Once the parentheses have been simplified to their lowest form radicals and
exponents are done next. In questions where multiple radicals and
exponents are present the general rule is you work with the values
from left to right.
3. Once the exponents and radicals are done you perform the multiplication
and division operation from left to right.
4. Finally, once the multiplication and division operations have been completed
addition and subtraction are done in order of appearance from left to
right.

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Example 1
8-7+3

First
Identify all the operations in the expression
Subtraction (-), Addition (+)
Second
Identify which step in the order of operations is applicable. Addition and
subtraction are the only operations present; only step 4 is applicable.

Third
Addition and subtraction are done from left to right. Subtraction comes first in the
expression followed by addition.
8-7 = 1
8 - 7 is reduced to 1. 1 + 3 comes next.
1 +3 = 4

Step 5
8–7+3=4

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Example 2
8-(7+3)

First
Identify all the operations in the expression
Parenthesis (), addition (+), Subtraction (-)

Second
Identify which step in the order of operations is applicable. Parenthesis, addition
and subtraction are the operations present; Step 1 and Step 4 are applicable.

Third
Parenthesis are done first. Addition is the only operation present inside the
parenthesis.
7+3 = 10
7+3 is reduced to 10. 8 – 10 is the final expression left to be simplified. Utilizing the
techniques learned in the operations module. 8 is positive and 10 is negative. 10 is
larger than 10 so our final answer will be negative. When the two numbers have
different signs, the smaller number is subtracted from the larger number to
determine the value.
10-8 = 2 value
The sign of the final answer is negative
Therefore, the final answer is -2

Fourth
8-(7+3) = -2

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Example 3
𝟐𝟎
22 x -7 x 3 + 55
𝟒

First
Identify all the operations in the expression
Exponents (2), multiplication (x), addition (+), Subtraction (-)
Second
Identify which step in the order of operations is applicable. Parenthesis, addition
and subtraction are the operations present; Step 2, Step 3, and Step 4 are
applicable.
Third
22= 2 x 2 = 4
20
4x -7 x 3 + 55 multiplication and division are performed next from left to right
4

4 x 20 ÷ 4
4 x 20 = 80 ÷ 4
80 ÷ 4 = 20
20 -7 x 3 + 55
-7 x 3 = -21 (when the signs of the two numbers are different when performing
multiplication or division your answer is negative)
20 -21 + 55
20 -21 = -1
(when the two numbers have different signs and the operation is subtraction the
answer takes the sign of the larger number. To calculate the value of the number,
subtract the smaller number from the larger number.)
-1 + 55 = 54
(when the two numbers have different signs and the operation is subtraction the
answer takes the sign of the larger number. To calculate the value of the number,
subtract the smaller number from the larger number.)
Fourth
𝟐𝟎
22 x -7 x 3 + 55 = 54
𝟒

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Example 5

52 - (√𝟒𝟗 ÷ 1 – 5) x 2 + 9 - 32
First
Identify all the operations in the expression

Parenthesis (),√ 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑠,Exponents (2), multiplication (x), addition (+),

Subtraction (-)
Second
Identify which step in the order of operations is applicable. Parenthesis, addition
and subtraction are the operations present; Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and Step 4 are
applicable.
Third

(√49 ÷ 1 – 5)
The order of operations is applied to the parenthesis. Step 2, Step 3 and Step 4 are
applicable.

√49 = 7
(7 ÷ 1 – 5)
7÷1=7
(7 – 5)
7- 5 = 2
The parenthesis is reduced to 2
52 – 2 x 2 + 9 - 32
The exponents are then simplified as always from left to right
52 = 5 x 5 = 25
25 – 2 x 2 + 9 - 32
32 = 3 x 3 = 9
25 – 2 x 2 + 9 – 9

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25 – 2 x 2 + 9 – 9
Multiplication is then performed involving the two numbers on either side of the
multiplication operation.
-2 x 2 = -4
(when the two numbers have different signs [ positive and negative] the final
answer is negative)
25 -4 + 9 – 9
Addition and subtraction are then performed in order of appearance from left to
right

25-4 = 21
21 + 9 – 9
21+ 9 = 30
30 – 9 = 21

Fourth

52 - (√𝟒𝟗 ÷ 1 – 5) x 2 + 9 - 32 = 21

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