Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
📋 What it is
PEMDAS fixes the order: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide (left to right), Add/Subtract (left to right).
🗣️ Coach says
Maths needs one agreed order or everyone gets different answers. PEMDAS is that order. The big trap: multiply and divide are a TEAM (do them left to right), and so are add and subtract — not strictly "M before D".
🧠 Memory hook
PEMDAS. But ×/÷ are one team (left→right), and +/− are one team (left→right). Not top-to-bottom!
😂 Giggle
Why did the equation go to the gym?
To work on both sides equally!
😲 Whoa!
The exact same expression posted online, like 6 ÷ 2(1+2), starts huge internet arguments — all because people apply the order differently.
✅ Quick check: What is 2 + 3 × 4?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
14 — do 3 × 4 = 12 first, then 2 + 12.
Multiplication happens before addition in the order of operations.
🪄 Trick question: Is 8 ÷ 2 × 2 equal to 2 or 8?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
8 — divide and multiply go left to right: 8 ÷ 2 = 4, then × 2 = 8.
×/÷ share equal priority and are done left to right, not multiply-first.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Write 8 − 2 × 3 and solve it two ways (right order vs left-to-right). Only one matches a calculator.