Download The order that we use to assemble a cake or build a house is

The order that we use to assemble a cake or build a house is important. The same holds true for evaluating any
expression in math. We call this the Order of Operations.
 In your own words, explain the Order of Operations.
 Give an example of an expression to fit this situation in math and an example in real life.
 Please share any trick or mnemonic device to help you recall this order or how to use it. A mnemonic
device is a memory trick such as using “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” to learn all the
keys on the keyboard.
(1) The steps in the order of mathematical operations are:
(a) Parentheses
(b) Exponents
(c) Multiplication and Division
(d) Addition and Subtraction
This means in a mathematical expression involving some or all of the above operations, the parentheses are simplified
first, followed by multiplication and division (from left to right) and then addition and subtraction (from left to right). If
one set of parentheses are enclosed in another, we work from inside out.
(2) (a) In Math, the order of operations is to be followed if we are to arrive at the correct result of a problem. A very
simple example is shown below:
Simplify 2 + 5 x 0
2 + 5 x 0 = 7 x 0 = 0 [If the order is violated] and 4 + 5 x 0 = 9 x 0 = 0 [If the order is violated]
 2 + 5 x 0 = 0 = 4 + 5 x 0  2 = 4, this is absurd.
2 + 5 x 0 = 2 + 0 = 2 [If the order is followed] and 4 + 5 x 0 = 4 + 0 = 4 [If the order is followed]
 2 + 5 x 0 ≠ 4 + 5 x 0  2 ≠ 4, this is true.
Thus, it is clear that just going from left to right without following the order is not correct
(b) In real life, we can think of many examples where a task is carried out in a definite order. For example, there is a
step-by-step procedure in awarding a construction contract. First, a feasibility study is done, an estimate of the cost
involved is made, the technical requirements are finalized, tenders are called, tenders are opened, tenders are
evaluated, a final selection is made and then the contract is awarded. Obviously, these steps cannot be reordered.
(3) It may help to suggest students that they may remember the order of operations in Math as “ Please Excuse My Dear
Aunt Sally” or “PEMDAS”, where P = Parentheses, E = Exponents, MD = Multiplication and Division, and AS = Addition
and Subtraction.