PARENTHESIS-EXPONENT-MULTIPLICATION-DIVISION-

ADDITION-SUBTRACTION

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Overview of this Module
In this module, students will learn how to follow rules of operations and apply them
in solving mathematical questions. Key concepts and principles of MDAS and PEMDAS will
be presented and a bunch of examples will be utilized to understand the lesson.

Objectives of this Module

After studying this module, you should be able to:
1. State, Explain, and Interpret Parenthesis, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
(PMDAS) or Grouping, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction (GMDAS) rule
LS3MP-NN-PSB-AE-54
2. Simplify a series of operations on whole numbers involving more than two operations
using the PMDAS or GMDAS rule LS3MP-NN-PSB-AE-55

ABSTRACTION: PRE-TEST (see pages 9 and 10 for

the questionnaires)

ACTIVITY 1: PHOTO ANALYSIS

Observe the picture below. What can you say with
picture? Who comes first? Second? Third and last?

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ACTIVITY 2: CLUES OF THE WORD
CLUES WORD
product
twice
?
times
ratio
quotient
?
divisor
sum
increase
?
more than
difference
minus
?
decrease

ABSTRACTION:
MDAS is an abbreviation for the order of operation : Multiplication and
Division, Addition and Subtraction. It is also a set of rules that prioritize the
order of calculations, that is, which operation to perform first. Otherwise, it is
feasible to get multiple or different answers. We don’t want that to happen.

Below illustrates an example where there are two possible answers. The

first column yields the wrong answer because it calculates the numerical
expression from left to right and did not follow the rules of operation. While the
second column is the correct one because it follows the rules of the Order of
Operations.

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 WRONG CORRECT

Important Reminders: The operations of multiplication and

division have the same level of priority. To decide when to multiply or divide,
always perform the one which appears first from left to right.
In the same manner, addition and subtraction are co-equal in terms of
importance. Perform the operation that comes first as you work it out from left
to right.
So it can be, MDAS, DMAS, MDSA or MDSA

Example 1: Simplify the following expression using the Order of Operations.

Solution: Notice that there are three operations involved. Based on the order of
operations, multiplication takes precedence over addition and subtraction so we
will multiply first. Next, subtract then add since the operation of subtraction
comes before addition from left to right.

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Example 2: 18 + 30 ÷ 5 - 2 x 4
Solution: 18 + 30 ÷ 5 - 2 x 4
18 + 6 - 2 x 4
18 + 6 - 8
24 - 8
16

More Examples:
GIVEN ANSWER
3+4-2x2 3
8/4+5x2 12
12-5+5x2 17
15/3x2 +5x4 30
7+2x8/4-2+4 13

PEMDAS Rule
PEMDAS is a mnemonic device that can help us remember the order of
operations which we already know stands for
“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally”.
P – Parentheses
E – Exponents
M – Multiplication
D – Division
A – Addition
S – Subtraction

Order of Operations

Step 1: At the top of the list, remember to ALWAYS simplify everything inside

the grouping symbols. Examples of grouping symbols are parentheses (  ),
brackets, and braces {  }. For nested grouping symbols, work it out from the
inside and out.

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Step 2: Exponential expressions are calculated or evaluated first before
performing any of the four fundamental arithmetic operations, namely: addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Step 3: Next, multiply and/or divide whichever comes first from left to right
before performing addition and subtraction. This tells us that multiplication and
division have a higher level of importance than addition and subtraction.

Step 4: Lastly, add and/or subtract whichever comes first from left to right.

EXAMPLES FOR PEMDAS…

Example 3: Simplify the following expression using the Order of Operations.

Solution: The grouping symbol has the highest priority that means we must first
simplify everything inside. Within the parenthesis, we have the operations of
division and multiplication. Since they have the same importance, the order how
they appear from left to write will determine which goes first. In this case, we
divide first then multiply.
After simplifying the expression inside the parenthesis, we will have subtraction
and division left. It is obvious that division should be calculated first before
subtraction.

Example 4: Simplify the following expression using the Order of Operations.

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Solution: Simplify the expression inside the parenthesis then evaluate the
powers (terms with exponents). After doing so, we will have a simpler
expression that involves addition, multiplication, and division. Scanning from
left to right, we see that we should multiply first, then divide and finally add.

APPLICATION:
WORKSHEET#1: ARRANGE ME
Arrange the following rules. Write the word FIRST,
SECOND, THIRD and FOURTH inside the box before the
statement.

Calculate first the exponential expression before

performing the four basic operation.

Add and/or subtract whichever comes first from left to right

ALWAYS simplify everything inside the parenthesis

Multiply and/or divide whichever comes first from left to

right

WORKSHEET#2: SOLVE ME!

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 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

WORKSHEET#3: COMPLETE ME!

I learned that…
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 NAME__________________ Date:_____________
CLC: JAPMES ALS Learning Center Facilitator: Querubin Sales

PRE -TEST/POST -TEST

Choose the best answer to each question. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following is equal to 40 + 55?
A. 40 X 55 C. 40 + 40
B. 40 – 55 D. 55 + 40

2. Which of the following is equal to (12 x 6) x 5?

A. (12+6)X5 C. 12 x (6 + 5)
B. 12 x (6 x 5) D. 12 + 6 x 5

3. Which of the following is equal to 18(12 + 37)?

A. 18 + 12 + 37 C. 18 x 12 + 37
B. 12(18 + 37) D. (18 x 12) + (18 x 37)

Complete each exercise by applying the rules for order of operations.

4. 9 + 6 x (8-5)
A. 21 C. 45
B. 27 D. 83

5. (14 – 5) ÷ (9 – 6)
A. 5 C. 6
B. 3 D. 0

6. 36 – 3 x 4
15 – 9 ÷ 3

A. 12 C. 2
B. 24 D. 6

7. 5 x 8 + 6 ÷ 6 – 12 x 2
A. 19 C. 27
B. 17 D. 184

8. A caterer charges a setup fee of $50, plus $20 per person. How much will the caterer charge if
35 people attend the party, and the customer has a coupon for $100 off the total?
A. $650 C. $2350
B. $750 D. $2450

9. 6 + (1+(4+9))
A. 20 C. 14
B. 78 D. 16

10. 3 + ((1+2) – 8)
A. -3 B. -2

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 C. 14 D. 3

11. 9 – 8 ÷ 4 + 2
A. 23 C. 9
B. 19 D. 16

12. 1 x (6-(1+9))
A. 4 C. 60
B. -4 D. 14

13. 8 x ((3-4) x 8)
A. -64 C. 16
B. 28 D. 64

16. 6(4+3)2
A. 26 C. 20
B. 294 D. 49

17. 6x4+3
A. 49 C. 27
B. 42 D. 13

18. 20 – 3 + 23
A. 15 C. 25
B. 13 D. 9

19. 7 + 9
4
A. 16 C. 9
B. 4 D. 1

20. 8 + 21 ÷ 3 – 5
A. 27 C. 4
B. 10 D. 6

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