Order of Operation – Rules, Examples and Practice Questions
The order of operation rules are:
Rule 1: Start with calculations inside brackets or parentheses.
Rule 2: Then, solve multiplications and division, from left to right.
Rule 3: Finally, additions and subtraction, from left to right.
Example 1
Solve 16 + 5 x 8
Based on the rules above, start with multiplication.
This gives: 16 + 40 = 56
Note that if the rule was not followed, and addition was done first, the answer would be different and incorrect, as in,
16 + 5 x 8
21 x 8 = 168 (wrong answer)
Example 2
3 +(35 – 21) x 2
Solve the problem inside the brackets first. Then multiplication, and finally addition.
3 + (35 – 21) x 2
3 + (14) x 2
3 + 28
= 31
Order Of Operation Practice Questions
1. 7 + 2 x (6 + 3) ÷ 3 – 7
a. 6
b. 5
c. 7
d. 4
2. 11 + 19 x 2
a. 60
b. 50
c. 49
d. 54
3. (14 + 2) x 2 + 3
a. 21
b. 35
c. 80
d. 43
4. 120 ÷ (6 + 12 x 2)
a. 150
b. 40
c. 6
d. 4
5. 12 + 2 x 44
a. 100
b. 616
c. 110
d. 600
6. 10 x 2 – (7 + 9)
a. 21
b. 16
c. 4
d. 13
Answer Key
1. A
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. A
6. C
More – Order of Operation Tutorials
Math Goodies
Math Playground – Video
Written by:
Modified: August 21st, 2018 August 21st, 2018
Published: November 27th, 2014
BIMDAS rule. Easy to remember.
I think it is PIMDAS – Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. … The original order of operations in some countries was BODMAS, which stands for Brackets, Orders or Powers, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
Thank you!
BEDMAS=brackets, exponents, division, multiplication, addition then subtracting
PEMDAS:
Please (Parentheses)
Excuse (Exponents)
My (Mult.)
Dear (Div.)
Aunt (Addition)
Sally (Subtraction)
Very Good!
Thanks for sharing this!
I am useless with mathematics but need to practice before I start a nursing degree. Thanks for explaining how to do these kind of sums, helped me a lot.
GEMS
Groupings
Exponents/Square Roots
Multiplication/Division
Subtraction/Addition
Each one you do you also have to do the opposite item at the same time.