1. Order of Operations
Algebra Seminar

2. When do we use Order of Operations?
If you’ve only got one or two operations in an equation, it’s pretty simple to see what to do first, then second.
Once you get into more complicated equations, however, you need the Order of Operations.
To help remember the order, remember the following sentence:
Please excuse my dear aunt sally.

3. Evaluate 7 + 4 • 3 Is your answer 33 or 19?
You can get 2 different answers depending on which operation you did first. We want everyone to get the same answer so we must follow the order of operations.

4. Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally
The first letter of each word reminds us of the order:
Please – P stands for Parentheses (grouping symbols)
Excuse – E stands for Exponents
My – M stands for Multiplication
Dear – D stands for Division
Aunt – A stands for Addition
Sally – S stands for Subtraction

5. PEMDAS Parentheses Exponents
Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction are done from left to right.

6. Evaluate the expression when x=4.
Start with the expression
Substitute in 4 everywhere you see an x
Use PEMDAS! Parentheses first
Finish parentheses,
next is exponents!
Multiply next.
Finish up!

7. Experiment Use the expressions
Arrange grouping symbols (parentheses) to make this expression equal:
146 54 38
Don’t change the order of the values!

8. Example #1
Using the left – to – right rule:
24-8-6
30+5-2

9. Example #2
Using the left – to – right rule

10. Example #3
Sometimes the fraction bar can be considered a grouping symbol

11. Example #4
Try this one:

12. Calculator Test Enter this into your calculator
If you got 6.1 then your calculator automatically does the order of operations for you.
If you got 0.6 then your calculator does not use order of operations and you’ll need to use the parentheses when you enter equations into your calculator.

13. Solve the problem: · 5
-3,236 4
107
16,996
Answer Now

14. Simplify: (10 - 3) 2 -7 12 98
Answer Now

15. Simplify: 24 – 6 · 4 ÷ 2 72 36 12
Answer Now

16. What is the value of -10 – 4x if x = -13?
-62
-42 42 52
Answer Now

17. What is the value of 5k3 if k = -4?
-8000
-320
-60
320
Answer Now