What are the order of operations in math?

What are the order of operations in math?

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the sequence in which calculations are performed. It's often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

Can you give me an example using PEMDAS?

Sure! For the expression 3 + 6 × (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7, you would first solve the parentheses: 5 + 4 = 9. Then, it becomes 3 + 6 × 9 ÷ 3 - 7. Next, you perform multiplication and division from left to right: 6 × 9 = 54, then 54 ÷ 3 = 18. Finally, you add and subtract from left to right: 3 + 18 - 7 = 14.

What happens if I don't follow the order of operations?

If you don't follow the order of operations, you may arrive at an incorrect answer. For example, if you calculated 3 + 6 × 9 first, you would get 9 × 9 = 81, which is wrong. Following PEMDAS ensures you get the correct result.

Are there any exceptions to these rules?

Generally, the order of operations is consistent, but in some cases, you might encounter different conventions in specific fields, like programming. However, for standard arithmetic, PEMDAS is universally accepted.