Order of Operations Unit 7

Problem: Evaluate the following

arithmetic expression:
3+4x2

Solution: Student 1 Student 2

3+4x2 3+4x2
=7x2 =3+8
= 14 = 11

It seems that each student interpreted the problem differently, resulting in two
different answers. Student 1 performed the operation of addition first, then
multiplication; whereas student 2 performed multiplication first, then addition.
When performing arithmetic operations there can be only one correct answer. We
need a set of rules in order to avoid this kind of confusion. Mathematicians have
devised a standard order of operations for calculations involving more than one
arithmetic operation.
Rule 1: First perform any calculations inside parentheses.
Rule 2: Next perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left to right.
Rule 3: Lastly, perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to right.
The above problem was solved correctly by Student 2 since she followed Rules 2
and 3. Let's look at some examples of solving arithmetic expressions using these
rules.

Example 1: Evaluate each expression using the rules for order of operations.

Solution: Order of Operations

Expression Evaluation Operation
6+7x8 =6+7 x 8 Multiplication
 = 6 + 56 Addition
= 62
16 ÷ 8 - 2 = 16 ÷ 8 - 2 Division
=2-2 Subtraction
=0
(25 - 11) x 3 = (25 - 11) x 3 Parentheses
= 14 x 3 Multiplication
= 42

In Example 1, each problem involved only 2 operations. Let's look at some examples
that involve more than two operations.
Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ = 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 Parenthese

1: 3-7 -7 s
Step 3+6 x 9÷3-7 = 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - Multiplicati
2: 7 on
Step 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 18 - 7 Division
3:
Step 3 + 18 - 7 = 21 - 7 Addition
4:
Step 21 - 7 = 14 Subtractio
5: n

Example 3: Evaluate 9 - 5 ÷ (8 - 3) x 2 + 6 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 9 - 5 ÷ (8 - 3) x = 9 - 5 ÷ 5 x 2 Parenthese

1: 2+6 +6 s
Step 9-5 ÷ 5x2+6 = 9 - 1 x 2 + 6 Division
2:
Step 9-1 x 2+6 = 9-2+6 Multiplicati
3: on
Step 9 - 2+6 = 7+6 Subtractio
4: n
 Step 7+6 = 13 Addition
5:

In Examples 2 and 3, you will notice that multiplication and division were evaluated
from left to right according to Rule 2. Similarly, addition and subtraction were
evaluated from left to right, according to Rule 3.
When two or more operations occur inside a set of parentheses, these operations
should be evaluated according to Rules 2 and 3. This is done in Example 4 below.
Example 4: Evaluate 150 ÷ (6 + 3 x 8) - 5 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 1: 150 ÷ (6 + 3 x 8) - 5 = 150 ÷ (6 + 24) - 5 Multiplication

inside
Parentheses
Step 2: 150 ÷ (6 + 24) - 5 = 150 ÷ 30 - 5 Addition inside
Parentheses
Step 3: 150 ÷ 30 - 5 = 5-5 Division
Step 4: 5-5 = 0 Subtraction

Example 5: Evaluate the arithmetic expression below:

Solution: This problem includes a fraction bar (also called a vinculum),

which means we must divide the numerator by the
denominator. However, we must first perform all calculations
above and below the fraction bar BEFORE dividing.

Thus

Evaluating this expression, we get:

Example 6: Write an arithmetic expression for this problem.

 Then evaluate the expression using the order of
operations.
Mr. Smith charged Jill $32 for parts and $15 per
hour for labor to repair her bicycle. If he spent 3
hours repairing her bike, how much does Jill owe
him?

Solution: 32 + 3 x 15 = 32 + 3 x 15 = 32 + 45 = 77

Jill owes Mr. Smith $77.

Summary: When evaluating arithmetic expressions, the order of operations is:

• Simplify all operations inside parentheses.
• Perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left to
right.
• Perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to
right.
Exercises

1.
9 + 6 x (8 - 5)

2.
(14 - 5) ÷ (9 - 6)

3. 5 x 8 + 6 ÷ 6 - 12 x 2
4.

5. A caterer charges a setup fee of $50, plus $20

per person. How much will the caterer charge if 35
people attend the party, and the customer has a
coupon for $100 off the total?