Order of Operations STES
Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally P = Parenthesis E = Exponents M = Multiply D = Divide A = Add S = Subtract
This is the order: There are 4 levels. Do the top levels first. 1. Parenthesis 2. Exponents 3. Multiply and divide, from left to right. 4. Add and subtract, from left to right.
Example 1 In PEMDAS, multiply (and divide) comes before adding and subtracting. 3 + 2 x 6 - 7 3 + 12 - 7 Now, we just have adding and subtracting, so go left to right. 15 - 7 Answer 8
8 + (3 x 4) - 13 8 + 12 - 13 20 - 13 7 Answer Example 2 Parentheses first 8 + 12 - 13 Now, since we have adding and subtracting, just go left to right. 20 - 13 7 Answer
34 - (4 x 10) + 3 34 - 40 + 3 81 - 40 + 3 41 + 3 44 Example 3 Answer Now, the exponent comes first (PEMDAS). Remember, 34 is 3 x 3 x 3 x 3. 81 - 40 + 3 41 + 3 Now we’re down to adding and subtracting, so go left to right. 44 Answer
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