Explore Order of Operations
with a Calculator
4-9
You can use a calculator to check your
computation when using the order of operations.
Evaluate the expression:
n^3 (52)4, when n 6
Compute using paper and pencil:
Substitute the value of n^3 (52) 4
the variable. 63 (52) 4
Compute using the
order of operations.
Check your computation using a calculator.
Most scientific calculators automatically
follow the correct order of operations.
Input from left to right by pressing these keys:
display
For calculators that do not follow the correct order
of operations, check your calculations for each step.
1st – Add the numbers in parentheses.
2nd – Compute the exponent.
3rd – Multiply.
4th – Subtract.
The value of n^3 (52)4, when n6, is 188.
63 ( 5 2 ) 4 1st – parentheses
63 7 4 2nd – exponents
216 7 4 3rd – multiply
216 28 188 4th – subtract
8206-2_138-139 10/7/07 11:07 AM Page 138