Solve: 2 × 5 ÷ 1 × 4 Using Order of Operations

Q: Why don't I do all the multiplication first since PEMDAS puts M before D?

Great question! In PEMDAS, multiplication and division have equal priority. The MD means you work left to right when you see them together, not multiplication first!

Q: What if I calculated 2 × 5 × 4 ÷ 1 and got 40 anyway?

You got lucky this time! With $ \div 1 $, the order doesn't change the answer. But try $ 2 \times 6 \div 2 \times 3 $ - wrong order gives 18 instead of the correct 18. Always follow left-to-right!

Q: Does dividing by 1 actually do anything?

Dividing by 1 doesn't change the number, but you still need to follow the order! It's there to test if you understand the left-to-right rule for equal operations.

Q: How can I remember to work left to right?

Think of it like reading a sentence - you read from left to right! When multiplication and division appear together, treat them like words in a sentence and solve in order.

Order of Operations with Mixed Multiplication and Division

$2 \times 5 \div 1 \times 4 =$

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Understand the problem

$2 \times 5 \div 1 \times 4 =$

Step-by-step solution

Start by performing the multiplication and division from left to right according to the order of operations.

First, calculate the multiplication: $2 \times 5 = 10$

Next, divide the result by 1: $10 \div 1 = 10$

Finally, multiply by 4: $10 \times 4 = 40$

Thus, the correct answer is $40$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

PEMDAS Rule: Multiplication and division have equal priority, work left to right
Technique: Calculate $2 \times 5 = 10$ , then $10 \div 1 = 10$ , finally $10 \times 4 = 40$
Check: Verify by grouping differently: $(2 \times 5) \div 1 \times 4 = 10 \times 4 = 40$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Doing all multiplication first, then all division
Don't calculate $2 \times 5 \times 4 = 40$ then divide by 1 = 40! This ignores left-to-right order and can give wrong answers with different numbers. Always work multiplication and division from left to right in the exact order they appear.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$8 + 3 \times 2 =$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why don't I do all the multiplication first since PEMDAS puts M before D?

Great question! In PEMDAS, multiplication and division have equal priority. The MD means you work left to right when you see them together, not multiplication first!

What if I calculated 2 × 5 × 4 ÷ 1 and got 40 anyway?

You got lucky this time! With $\div 1$ , the order doesn't change the answer. But try $2 \times 6 \div 2 \times 3$ - wrong order gives 18 instead of the correct 18. Always follow left-to-right!

Does dividing by 1 actually do anything?

Dividing by 1 doesn't change the number, but you still need to follow the order! It's there to test if you understand the left-to-right rule for equal operations.

How can I remember to work left to right?

Think of it like reading a sentence - you read from left to right! When multiplication and division appear together, treat them like words in a sentence and solve in order.

What if there were parentheses in this problem?

Parentheses come first in PEMDAS! You'd solve anything inside ( ) before doing the multiplication and division left to right.

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