Algebra I

Order of Operations (PEMDAS): Rules and Worked Examples

Use PEMDAS correctly with parentheses, exponents, and left-to-right multiplication and division, with two worked examples.

The order

Multiplication and division share a level, and so do addition and subtraction.

Example 1

Evaluate 3 + 4 × 2.

  1. Multiply first: 4 × 2 = 8
  2. Then add: 3 + 8
11

Example 2

Evaluate 8 + 2 × (6 − 3)² ÷ 3.

  1. Parentheses: 6 − 3 = 3
  2. Exponent: 3² = 9
  3. Multiply and divide left to right: 2 × 9 = 18, then 18 ÷ 3 = 6
  4. Add: 8 + 6
14

Common mistake

Always multiply before dividing

Multiplication and division go left to right, as they appear.

The same is true for addition and subtraction.

Fraction bars act like parentheses around the top and bottom.

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