OPERATIONS HIERARCHY

Faculty of Mathematics and Engineering

Mathematical reasoning course

1
Operations hierarchy

; ; Parenthesis
𝒄
𝒂𝒃 ; 𝒅 Powers and roots

x ; ÷ Multiplication and division

+ ; - Addition and subtraction

2
Operations hierarchy:
Order to operate.
It consists of hierarchically organizing the operations (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, power) to correctly operate the expressions in which a combination
of them appears.

1. Perform the operations in parentheses, brackets,

and braces [ ]; ( ); { }

2. Calculate the roots and powers 𝒂𝒃 ; 𝒃

𝒂

3. Make the ratios of the products x; ÷

4. Perform addition and subtraction +; -

3
Operations hierarchy:
Application example to solve an expression
Example 𝟏𝒔𝒕 1

Rule 1: Parentheses; there is not,

4 + 3 × 5 step to the next rule.

Rule 2: Powers (exponents); there

is not, step to the next rule.
4 + 15
Rule 3: Multiplication and division
from left to right.

19 Rule 4: Addition and subtraction in

order from left to right.

4
Operations hierarchy:
Application example to solve an expression
Example 𝟐𝒏𝒅 1

2
20 ÷ 2 + 7 x (9 - 6)
2
20 ÷ 2 + 7 x 3 Rule 1: Solve parentheses.

Rule 2: Solve powers.

20 ÷ 4 + 7 x 3
Rule 3: Multiplication and division
5+7x3 in order from left to right.

Rule 4: Addition and subtraction in

5 + 21 order from left to right.
26
5
Operations hierarchy:
Application example to solve an expression
Example 𝟑𝒓𝒅 1

3 Rule 1: Parentheses; In this case, we

60 ÷ (12 + 2 ) x 9 have a power that we must solve.

60 ÷ (12 + 8) x 9 Rule 2: Powers. It has already been

resolved because it was inside the
60 ÷ 20 x 9 parenthesis.

3x9 Rule 3: Multiplication and division in

order from left to right.

27 Rule 4: Addition and subtraction in

order from left to right (there is no).

6
Operations hierarchy:
Practice exercises.
Perform the following operations taking into account the hierarchy

𝑎. 27 + 3 × 5 − 16

b. 27 + 3 − 45 ÷ 5 + 16
Answers
c. (2 × 4 + 12)(6 − 4) a. 26
b. 37
d. −2 5 − (−3)3 2 c. 40
d. 25
e. -3
e. − 15 ÷ 3 + 7 × 2 + 23 ÷ 25 ÷ 5 + 8 ÷ 2 f. -16

f. −4 × 5 × (42 − 6) ÷ (52 ÷ 5)2 2