Applications of the four operations

Topic Notes

In this lesson, we will learn:

  • How to solve equations with multiple different operations in them
  • How to follow the proper order of operations using BEDMAS (or PEMDAS)

Notes:

  • Order of operations tells us the rules for which math operations to do first, second, third…
    • The 4 basic operations are: addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (×), and division (÷)

  • We CANNOT do operations in any order we want because it will lead to different answers.
    • Mathematicians have agreed on the order so that everyone does all the operations in the same order to get the same answer (only one correct answer).

  • To remember the order, we can use the acronym BEDMAS
Applications of the Four Operations (BEDMAS without exponents)
    • Alternatively, some textbooks also use the acronym PEMDAS instead
    • P in PEMDAS stands for parentheses; M and D still stand for Division and Multiplication, but they've switched places from BEDMAS

  • If there are more than one of each type of operation, they can all be done in the same step, from left to right, before moving onto the next step.
Applications of the Four Operations (BEDMAS without exponents)

  • The steps for Order of Operations (without exponents) is:
Applications of the Four Operations (BEDMAS without exponents)