The Order of Operations

Let's talk about the order of operations. Have you ever heard of Aunt Sally? Do you have an Aunt Sally? "Please Excuse My Dearest Sally" is a common memory hook for the order of operations, but you have to be careful.

Parenthesizes or Grouping symbols

• Work inside out {[()]}
• Other (i.e. absolute value bars,square root,fraction bar)

Exponents

Multiply or divide from left to right

Add or subtract from left to right

To remember: gem-das or please excuse my dearest aunt sally

The first step is parenthesizes or grouping symbols. You want to work inside out - start with the innermost and work to the outermost. When you are inside the grouping symbols, the order of operations still apply.

After those are done, do the exponents.

Step 3 is multiplication or division from left to right. If division appears first from left to right, you do that first and then multiplication. It is multiplication or division from left to right.

Step 4 is addition or subtraction from left to right. Again, it is whatever appears first from left to right.

Be careful when you do the order of operations. With the memory hook, sometimes I might see someone do all the multiplication first and then division. It is multiplication or division from left to right.

For more on simplifying expressions, check out my youtube channel. If you have any questions or blog ideas, you can e-mail me at jdmathguy@gmail.com

-JD