1.2.2 Order of Operations
Key Objectives • Simplify numerical expressions. • Evaluate algebraic expressions. Key Terms • The order of operations is a rule for simplifying expressions that contain more than one operation. The order of operations establishes the order in which those operations must be performed. When simplifying an expression that contains two or more operations, the operations must be completed in a specific order, as defined by the order of operations. By the order of operations, perform any operations within parentheses (or other grouping symbols) first, then compute exponents (powers and roots), then perform all multiplication and division from left to right , and then perform all addition and subtraction from left to right . The phrase “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” or PEMDAS can be a helpful mnemonic device for remembering the order of operations.
Example 1 Simplifying Numerical Expressions Always use the order of operations to simplify any expression with multiple operations.
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