What is PEMDAS?

1 Answer
Oct 26, 2014

PEMDAS is an mnemonic device used to remind students of the order of operations in the calculation of a mathematical problem.

The initials also o along with phrase used by many students and teachers, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.

P = Parenthesis (brackets)
E = Exponents
M = Multiply
D = Divide
A = Addition
S = Subtraction

Solve inside Parenthesis, then do Exponents, Multiply and Divide before you Add and Subtract.

A sample problem may look like this.

#3^2(5)(6 - 2) + 8#

Following the order of operations

Parenthesis first
#3^2(5)(4) + 8#

Exponents next
#9(5)(4) + 8#

Multiply and Divide now
#900 + 8#

Solve by Adding and Subtracting
#908#