The Doctor is INThe Doctor is INTutorial: Order of

Operations

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Lesson OverviewObjectives:Use order of operations to evaluate numerical expressions.

Why do we need to learn more about the order of operations?We need rules to follow in mathematics so that everyone works equations the same. Math is a universal language.

Visit the following address to learn more:http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/58237.html

Can I take your ORDER please?When there is more than one operation to occur in

the same expression, there is a particular order to follow when solving.

Read each step: Perform operations inside parentheses.

Simplify any exponents or square roots.

Multiply and divide in order from left to right.

Add and subtract in order from left to right.

You can remember this order with the following device:

P-E-M-D-A-S“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.”

ParenthesesExponentsMultiplyDivideAddSubtract

Following the steps:

5 + 5 x 5 – 5 ÷ 5Ask yourself:1. Are there parentheses? No2. Are there exponents or square roots? No 3. Is there any multiplication or division? Yes—so let’s get

busy!

5 + 5 x 5 – 5 ÷ 5

5 + 25 – 5 ÷ 5

5 + 25 – 1 4. Now, add and subtract in order.

30 – 1= 29

Let’s try another…

5² + 4 x 3 ÷ (2 – 1) – 3Follow the steps for an example.

5² + 4 x 3 ÷ 1 – 325 + 4 x 3 ÷ 1 – 325 + 12 ÷ 1 – 3

37 – 334

REVIEW:Remember, before you “operate”, you must think of these

steps: P-e-m-d-a-s1. Parentheses2. Exponents3. Multiply4. Divide5. Add and subtract in order.

Each expression is like a puzzle needing to be solved. You can do it!

You will now work a quiz to see how well you understand the

“order of operations”. For each expression, you will need

pencil and paper to work through your problem.

Make your selection by clicking the correct answer on the screen.

Good Luck!

Problem 1: 6 + 6 x 6 – 6 ÷ 6 =

B. 41

C. 11

D. 30

A. 2

Sorry! Try again!

Fantastic! Way to Go!

Problem 2: (2 + 2) x 2 – 2 ÷ 2 =

B. 6

C. 7

D. 5

A. 3

Sorry! Try again!

You are ohhh so cool!

Problem 3: 2² + 4(4 + 4) ÷ 2² =

B. 12

C. 40

D. 19

A. 6

Sorry! Try again!

Keep on trucking!

__Problem 4: √ 36 + 3² - 4(2 – 1) =

B. 8

C. 16

D. 38

A. 11

Sorry! Try again!

Awesome!

___Problem 5: 9² + (5 – 3)x 2 x 4² - √169

÷ 13 =

B. 63

C. 144

D. 40

A. 2190

Sorry! Try again!

Super Duper!

Whew! You are done! You made it to the end of the quiz. You

may go back to the beginning of the tutorial if you still do not understand. You will soon be a whiz at “operating.”

References:

Alabama State Course of Study in Mathematics

Math 76: An Incremental Development 3rd ed. (1997). Saxon Publishers, Inc. and Stephen Hake, OK,(402-404).