operations. The safe,
smart way is to clear
the calculator after
every individual
operation, performing
PEMDAS yourself. When
calculator use is not
allowed, make sure to
write out all the steps
on your paper to avoid
careless errors.DRILL 1
Solve each of the following problems by performing the indicated operations in the proper order.
Answers can be found on this page.
1. 107 + (109 – 107) =2. (7 × 5) + 3 =3. 6 – 3(6 – 3) =4. 2 × [7 – (6 ÷ 3)] =5. 10 – (9 – 8 – 6) =Whichever
Comes First
For addition and subtrac-
tion, solve from left to
right. The same is true of
multiplication and
division. And remember:
If you don’t solve in
order from left to right,
you could end up with
the wrong answer!
Example:
24 ÷ 4 × 6 = 24 ÷ 24 = 1
wrong
24 ÷ 4 × 6 = 6 × 6 = 36
rightParentheses Can Help You Solve Equations
Using parentheses to regroup information in SAT arithmetic problems can be very helpful. In order to do
this, you need to understand a basic law that you have probably forgotten since the days when you last
took arithmetic—the distributive law. You don’t need to remember the name of the law, but you do need
to know how to use it to help you solve problems.