Order of Operations

The correct order of operations is:

Let's start by solving the innermost parentheses - we'll solve the expression inside the parentheses according to the correct order of operations - multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction.
We'll then proceed to the outer parentheses and continue solving the expression.
Note - not every expression will have inner parentheses.
After we've dealt with all the parentheses, we'll continue with multiplication and division from left to right, and then proceed to addition and subtraction from left to right.

Visual representation of BODMAS and PEMDAS order of operations rules, explaining the sequence of solving mathematical expressions: Brackets/Parentheses, Order/Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction, designed for math learning clarity.

Order of Operations

The first operation - parentheses!

The first step in the order of operations is to tackle the parentheses.
To begin we solve whatever is inside of the parentheses, regardless of the operation.
We then proceed to write the result above the parentheses with a small arc or in place of the entire expression within the parentheses.
If multiplication and division appear inside the parentheses along with addition and subtraction, multiplication and division come first, followed by addition and subtraction from left to right.
If there are parentheses within parentheses - we first solve the inner parentheses and then the outer parentheses using the solution of the inner parentheses, and then proceed to solve the rest of the exercise.

Let's practice:
3×(52)=3\times(5-2)=

Solution:
When we encounter an expression like this, the first thing that should come to mind is the parentheses!
Let's begin by solving the expression inside of the parentheses:
52=35-2=3
We write the result 33 in a small arc above the parentheses as shown below:

Math equation for beginners illustrating the order of operations: 3 multiplied by the result of parentheses (5 - 2), emphasizing correct step-by-step calculation rules in BODMAS/PEMDAS methodology.

and then continue to solve the exercise -
3×3=93\times3=9
or simply write it like this from the start.

Another exercise with parentheses:
6(82×3)=6-(8-2\times3)=

Solution:
The first step is to tackle the parentheses. According to what we learned above, if both multiplication/division and addition/subtraction appear inside the parentheses, multiplication and division come first, and only then addition and subtraction from left to right.
Therefore, we first address:
2×3=62\times3=6
Let's write it in a small arc:

Mathematical equation for practicing order of operations: 6 minus 8 times the result of parentheses (8 - 2 times 3), demonstrating step-by-step calculation following BODMAS/PEMDAS rules for beginners.

Now let's proceed to solve whatever remains inside of the parentheses:
86=28-6=2

Note - outside the parentheses there is 66

The operations in the parentheses resulted in the value 22
Therefore we'll solve as follows:
62=46-2=4
The final result is 44!

Another exercise with parentheses inside of parentheses:
4+2+(41×(31)+5)=4+2+(4-1\times(3-1)+5)=

Solution:
Note – In this exercise, parentheses appear as brackets, and according to what we learned above, we first solve the inner parentheses. In our exercise 31=23-1=2
We write the value in a small arc as shown below:

Mathematical equation for practicing order of operations: 4 + 2 + (4 - 1 × (3 - 1) + 5), designed for beginners to apply BODMAS/PEMDAS rules, showcasing the calculation of nested parentheses and arithmetic operations.

Now let's move to the outer parentheses - notice that there is a multiplication operation present hence we'll address it first:
4+2+(41×2+5)=4+2+(4-1\times2+5)=
​​​​​​​4+2+(42+5)=​​​​​​​4+2+(4-2+5)=
Let's continue solving the parentheses:
4+2+7=4+2+7=
This is the solution:
6+7=136+7=13

Let's continue to the second operation - multiplication and division!

Multiplication and division are the second step in the order of operations, directly after opening parentheses.
After opening the parentheses, if there were any present, it's advisable to rewrite the exercise in order to avoid confusion. We then proceed to solve the multiplication and division operations from left to right.
We will once again rewrite the new exercise after solving the multiplication and division operations.
Now let's practice:
205×2=20-5\times2=

Solution:
We have an expression that includes both multiplication and subtraction.
Notice that there are no parentheses, hence the first thing we'll address is the multiplication operation.
5×2=105\times2=10
Let's rewrite the expression as follows:
2010=1020-10=10
The final result is 1010

Another exercise:
3×24+2÷1=3\times2-4+2\div1=

Solution:
Note that in this exercise there are no parentheses and it has multiplication and division, addition and subtraction operations. Let's start with the multiplication and division operations:
3×2=63\times2=6
2÷1=22\div1=2
Let's rewrite the exercise as follows:
64+2=6-4+2=
2+2=42+2=4

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Let's move on to the third stage - addition and subtraction!

Addition and subtraction are the third and final stage in the order of operations, right after multiplication and division and after opening the initial parentheses.
Let's practice:
53×1=5-3\times1=

Solution:
Note that addition and subtraction are the third and final step in the order of operations. Even though the subtraction operation is the leftmost one, we will instead begin with the multiplication operation.
3×1=33\times1=3
Let's rewrite the expression as follows:
53=25-3=2
The final result is 22.