Curriculum

Curriculum
Kindergarten Math
Grade 1 Math
Grade 2 Math
Grade 3 Math
Grade 4 Math
Grade 5 Math
Math Facts
Over 30 Million kids use SplashLearn!
Parents
Teachers
Case Studies
Math Tutoring
Sign In
Parents, Sign Up for Free
Teachers, Sign Up for Free
Math Tutoring
Sign In
Parents, Sign Up for Free
Teachers, Sign Up for Free

Order Of Operations - Definition with Examples

The Complete K-5 Math Learning Program Built for Your Child

Parents, Sign Up for FreeTeachers, Sign Up for Free

30 Million Kids

Loved by kids and parent worldwide

50,000 Schools

Trusted by teachers across schools

Comprehensive Curriculum

Aligned to Common Core

By Grades

Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
By Topics

Addition
Algebra
Counting and Comparison
Decimals
+ 11 More
Division
Fractions
Geometry
Measurements
Money
Multiplication
Number Sense
Place Value
Subtraction
Home
Time >
Math Vocabulary >
Algebra >
Order of operations

expanded form
longest
repeated addition
rounding
unit

What is Order of Operations?

In math, order of operations are the rules that state the sequence in which the multiple operations in an expression should be
solved.

A way to remember the order of the operations is PEMDAS, where in each letter stands for a mathematical operation.

P Parentheses
E Exponent
M Multiplication
D Division
A Addition
S Subtraction

The PEMDAS rules that state the order in which the operations in an expression should be solved, are:
1. Parentheses - They take precedence over all other operators. The first step is to solve all the operations within the
parentheses. Work out all groupings from inside to out. (Whatever is in parentheses is a grouping)
2. Exponents - Work out all the exponential expressions.
3. Multiplication and Division - Next, moving from left to right, multiply and/or divide whichever comes first.
4. Addition and Subtraction - Lastly, moving from left to right, add and/or subtract whichever comes first.
Why Follow Order of Operations?

Follow the rules of the order of operations to solve expressions so that everyone arrives at the same answer.

Here’s an example of how we can get different answers if the correct order of operations is NOT followed.
Expression solved from Left to Right Expression solved using Order of Operations (PEMDAS)

6x3+4x(9÷3) 6x3+4x(9÷3)

6X3+4x(9÷3) 6X3+4x(9÷3)→P

18 + 4 x ( 9 ÷ 3 ) 6X3+4x3→M

22 x ( 9 ÷ 3 ) 18 + 4 x 3 → M

198 ÷ 3 18 + 12 → A

= 66 ✘ = 30 ✔

Fun Facts

A popular mnemonic used to remember the order of operations -PEMDAS is ‘Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally’.

Let's sing!
It's all really about the operations,
Solve in order, else there'll be tensions.
Start by opening the Parentheses.
Jump up with the Exponents.
Cube or Square - it's all very fair!
Next, Multiply or Divide - jus' go left to right.
Add or Subtract come last but they’re easy.
finally, it's as simple as A B C D!
 Let's do it!
Instead of handing out practice worksheets to your child, form word problems from real life situations. This will help them
write and solve expressions and use the order of operations to simplify expressions in pre-algebra and algebra.
For instance, take your child out for shopping. Ask them to pick out 2 dozen eggs, 3 packets of hot dog buns, 2 packets of
candy and 2 boxes of cereal. Then, ask them to put one box of cereal back. Now, ask your child the number of eggs in a
dozen, number of buns in a packet, number of candies in a packet and calculate the total number of items bought. Ask them
to form an expression and use the order of operations to find the answer.

Related math vocabulary

Expression

Won Numerous Awards & Honors

Math Games for Kids

Multiplication Games
Fraction Games
Division Games
Number Games
Addition Games
Subtraction Games
Area and Perimeter Games
Counting Money Games
Place Value Games
Counting Games

Math Games for Kids

Multiplying Fractions Games
Time Games
Ruler Games
Geometry Games
Decimal Games
Times Tables Games
Algebra Games
Equivalent Fractions Games
Measurement Games
Area Games

Online Live Math Classes

SplashLearn Math Courses
Complete Grade 3 Math Refresher
12 Hours to Master Multiplication
All About 3rd Grade Fractions
3 Digit Addition and Subtraction
Master Multiplication Facts
Master Multiplication Word Problems
 Making Sense of Area

SplashLearn Content
For Classrooms
For Homeschoolers
Math Games
Math Games for Kindergarten
Math Games for 1st Grader
Math Games for 2nd Grader
Math Games for 3rd Grader
Math Games for 4th Grader
Math Games for 5th Grader
Common Core Math Vocabulary
Common Core Curriculum

Resources
About Us
Careers
Contact Us
SplashLearn Reviews
SplashLearn Apps
Help
help@splashlearn.com
Cookies Info

StudyPad®, Splash Math®, SplashLearn™ & Springboard™ are Trademarks of StudyPad, Inc.

PRIVACY POLICY Terms of Use

Copyright © 2020 Studypad Inc. All Rights Reserved

Log In as

Student
 Teacher/Parent

I want to use SplashLearn as a...

Teacher

Parent

Already Signed up?

Sign Up for SplashLearn

For Parents

or
 For Teachers

Parents, we need your age to give you an age-appropriate experience

Enter year of birth

Continue
Sorry, we could not process your request.