Pre-Algebra Demystified

This sentence could have two different meanings depending on how it is
punctuated:

John said, ‘‘The teacher is tall.’’

or

‘‘John,’’ said the teacher, ‘‘is tall.’’

In mathematics, we have what is called anorder of operationsto clarify the
meaning when there are operations and grouping symbols (parentheses) in
the same problem.
The order of operations is

1. Parentheses


2. Exponents


3. Multiplication or Division, left to right


4. Addition or Subtraction, left to right

Multiplication and division are equal in order and should be performed from
left to right. Addition and subtraction are equal in order and should be
performed from left to right.

Math Note: The word simplify means to perform the operations

following the order of operations.

EXAMPLE

Simplify 18
6  2
16 2.

SOLUTION

18 
 6  2 
 16 2 Multiplication and division

¼ 18 
 12 
 8 Subtraction left to right

¼ 6 
 8

¼
 2

EXAMPLE

Simplify 5þ 23
3 4.

CHAPTER 2 Integers 33