Hamilton High SchoolAlgebra 1Basics

The order of operations is the set of rules of which calculation comes first in solving an expression

An expression is a mathematical sentence that does not have an equal sign

Ex. 3 – 7 + 13 / 2 Operations are actions that involve two or

more values and produces a new valueEx. Addition, subtraction, multiplication,

division

The Order of Operations is as follows:

1. Parentheses 2. Exponents3. Multiplication & Division (from left to right)4. Addition & Subtraction (from left to right)

Parentheses are grouping symbols that are used to group certain values together

Looks like: ( )

Example: (2 + 7) – 6 = 9 – 6 = 3

Exponents are numbers or symbols placed in the upper right corner above a number or symbol that tells how many times you multiply that number or symbol by itself

Looks like: 2,3,a

Example: 62 = 6 x 6 = 36

Multiplication & division are done from left to right.

It does not matter which comes first

Looks like: multiplication x or * division ÷ or /

Addition & subtraction are done from left to right.

It does not matter which comes first.

Looks like: addition + subtraction –

The most common phrase used to remember the Order of Operations is:

Please – ParenthesesExcuse – ExponentsMy Dear – Multiplication & DivisionAunt Sally – Addition & Subtraction

Expression Evaluation Operation

6 + 7 x 8 = 6 + 7 x 8 Multiplication

= 6 + 56 Addition

= 62

16 ÷ 8 - 2 = 16 ÷ 8 - 2 Division

= 2 - 2 Subtraction

= 0

(25 - 11) x 3 = (25 - 11) x 3 Parentheses

= 14 x 3 Multiplication

= 42

Create your own expressions and evaluate them using the Order of Operations.