PEMDAS , order of operations confusion

Question

So if you are solving an equation that requires you to use the order of operations... Do you multiply before divide because that’s how it’s listed in PEMDAS or do you do which ever come first in the equation... same with addition and subtraction. So like the equation 6²/2(3)+4 , would the answer be 10 or 58?

Answer 1

Hey Kristen! I completely understand your confusion. For the MD and AS parts of PEMDAS, the order is whatever comes first.

Lets look at your question. According to P E MD AS, we may begin with the exponent to change the equation to 36/2(3)+4. The parentheses with “(3)” don’t do anything, since there is nothing happening inside them. We can now visually change the equation to 36 / 2 * 3 + 4. You must divide 36/2 first prior to multiplying by 3 because this is the order left to right. Therefore, the equation becomes 18*3+4, which is 54+4=58.

Hope this helps!