PEMDAS

P is for parenthesis. Parenthesis are typically used to group numbers, and it is important that you do the math inside before anything else!

E is for Exponent. After going left to right doing all the math in parenthesis, you are going to look for exponents and simplify them before moving on.

M is for Multiplication. This step is interchangeable with the next step.

D is for division. It does not matter whether you do multiplication or division first.

A is for Addition, this step is also interchangeable with the next step!

S is for Subtraction, this step and addition can be done in any order.

When put all together, we must work through problems in PEMDAS order.

It is important to follow the rules of PEMDAS because going out of order can change the answer. Although multiplication and division as well as addition and subtraction are interchangeable with one another, it is important that you follow these steps after first doing parenthesis and exponents.

PEMDAS Song

Now lets work through our own problem together!

Discussion Quesitons:

1.) List the order in which you will solve the following equation:

(8+7)+3^2-4+17

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

2.) When looking at this equation following the order of PEMDAS, what do you get for your answer?

10+(6-4)^2-5

3.) What operations are interchangeable with multiplication? Addition?

Follow up activity:

For homework, come up with your own tricky PEMDAS problem so the rest of the class can try to solve!