Order Of Operations: A Complex Equation
Order of operations is a rule to clarify confusion that may occur in an equation that has multiple different operations. This rule of Order of Operations states we must solve a complex equation by complete the operations in this order: Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. We can remember this by this mnemonic: Pink, Eyes, May, Doubt, Anyone’s, Style.
*** This will happen if we take this equation and NOT follow the Order of Operation***
4+ 2 x 3 =
If I did not know the “rule” I would assume that I’d complete the problem this way
4 + 2= 6 x3 = 18 “oops I forgot my PEMDAS rule”
Let’s try this again:
4+ 2 x 3= okay I need to multiply first so I’ll fix this so I know what needs to be done first
4+ (2 x 3) = Ah ha! I get it now!
4+ (2x3) = 4+6 =
10!!!!!
Okay now….Lets make this harder!
42x 10+6-9=_____
I remember the rules by using PEMDAS which means I need to start with the ( ) first
42=2 x 10+6-9=____
Next I use the multiplication
2x10=20+6-9=____
Now since addition and subtraction are interchangeable, I can do either one. I’ll keep it simple:
26-9=17
Put it all together and you will have (42)x 10+6-9=17
Well that’s great…but what if I don’t wanna use that rule? Lets find out!
42x 10+6-9=_____
Lets add the 10 and the 6 first…….which gives me
42x 16-9=____
Now let’s subtract 16-9
42x 7=____
Time for 4 divided by 2
2x7=____
14
Not the correct answer!!!! Booooo!
*** This will happen if we take this equation and NOT follow the Order of Operation***
4+ 2 x 3 =
If I did not know the “rule” I would assume that I’d complete the problem this way
4 + 2= 6 x3 = 18 “oops I forgot my PEMDAS rule”
Let’s try this again:
4+ 2 x 3= okay I need to multiply first so I’ll fix this so I know what needs to be done first
4+ (2 x 3) = Ah ha! I get it now!
4+ (2x3) = 4+6 =
10!!!!!
Okay now….Lets make this harder!
42x 10+6-9=_____
I remember the rules by using PEMDAS which means I need to start with the ( ) first
42=2 x 10+6-9=____
Next I use the multiplication
2x10=20+6-9=____
Now since addition and subtraction are interchangeable, I can do either one. I’ll keep it simple:
26-9=17
Put it all together and you will have (42)x 10+6-9=17
Well that’s great…but what if I don’t wanna use that rule? Lets find out!
42x 10+6-9=_____
Lets add the 10 and the 6 first…….which gives me
42x 16-9=____
Now let’s subtract 16-9
42x 7=____
Time for 4 divided by 2
2x7=____
14
Not the correct answer!!!! Booooo!