Hi! I'm Vidi. Let's learn Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) together — read with me, then play the games to win a ⭐!
🔵PEMDAS/BODMAS Rules
Why Order Matters:
3 + 4 × 2 = ?
If you add first: (3+4)×2 = 7×2 = 14 If you multiply first: 3+(4×2) = 3+8 = 11 Which is correct? MULTIPLY first!
PEMDAS (USA) / BODMAS (UK):
| Letter | Stands For | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| P / B | Parentheses / Brackets | Do inside ( ) first |
| E / O | Exponents / Orders | Powers and roots |
| M / D | Multiplication / Division | Left to right |
| D / M | Division / Multiplication | Left to right |
| A / S | Addition / Subtraction | Left to right |
Remember: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
PEMDAS ORDER OF OPERATIONS:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ P PARENTHESES (Highest) │
│ E EXPONENTS │
│ M MULTIPLICATION │
│ D DIVISION │
│ A ADDITION │
│ S SUBTRACTION (Lowest) │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
DECISION TREE FOR SOLVING:
Start: Look for parentheses
│
▼
Solve inside ( )
│
▼
Look for exponents
│
▼
Multiply or Divide
(left to right)
│
▼
Add or Subtract
(left to right)
│
▼
Answer!
EXAMPLE WORKFLOW: 3 + 4 × (5 - 2)²
Step 1: Parentheses: 5 - 2 = 3
3 + 4 × 3²
Step 2: Exponent: 3² = 9
3 + 4 × 9
Step 3: Multiply: 4 × 9 = 36
3 + 36
Step 4: Add: 3 + 36 = 39
Answer: 39👀 See a worked example
Solve 8 + 2 × 5
- Multiplication first: 2 × 5 = 10
- Then add: 8 + 10 = 18
- Answer: 18
Solve (12 - 4) ÷ 2 + 3
- Parentheses: 12 - 4 = 8
- Division: 8 ÷ 2 = 4
- Addition: 4 + 3 = 7
- Answer: 7
Solve 20 ÷ 4 × 2
- Left to right: 20 ÷ 4 = 5
- Then: 5 × 2 = 10
- Answer: 10 (not 20÷(4×2)=20÷8=2.5)
🤖 Vidi's Key Points
- Parentheses FIRST
- Exponents NEXT
- Multiply/Divide LEFT to RIGHT
- Add/Subtract LEFT to RIGHT
- Same level operations = go left to right
- PEMDAS = order of operations
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