What is PEMDAS?

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Answer 1 · 2014-10-26T06:41:26

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
$908$