what order do you add subtract multipy and divide

Question

what is the proper order

Answer 1

Hi Lisa--

 

With those 4 operations, remember "My Dear Aunt Sally," which will help you remember Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.

 

But note that this doesn't always mean that Multiplication will come before Division, but that the 2 of them AS A GROUP come before the other 2 AS A GROUP.

 

So if you see, for example,  16 ÷ 2 - 3 x 2 + 7, do the division first, then the multiplication, then the subtraction, and end with the addition. In this example, you should end up with 9.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Matt in NY