Understanding Order of Operations

Why is it important to have a set of rules for the order of operations?

• To allow for creative problem solving

• To get the same answer for a problem regardless of who solves it

• To ensure that everyone gets different answers

• To make math more complicated

Why can different answers be obtained if the order of operations is not followed?

• Because math rules are arbitrary

• Because some operations have higher priority over others

• Because of mathematical errors

• Because calculators compute differently

What is the first step according to the Order of Operations?

• Exponents

• Operations in parentheses and brackets

• Addition

• Multiplication

What is the correct order of operations?

• Parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction

• Multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, parentheses

• Exponents, parentheses, addition, multiplication

• Addition, multiplication, exponents, parentheses

Can operations within different sets of parentheses be performed in any order?

• Yes, but only if they are addition

• No, they must be done from left to right

• Yes, as long as all operations within parentheses are done first

• No, multiplication parentheses must be done first

What role do parentheses play in mathematical operations?

• They indicate operations that should be ignored

• They group operations that should be done last

• They are used for decorative purposes only

• They group operations that should be done first

What does an exponent tell you?

• How many times to add a number to itself

• How many times to multiply a number by itself

• How many times to divide a number

• How many times to subtract a number from itself

How should you simplify a problem with exponents inside parentheses?

• Parentheses should not contain exponents

• Simplify the exponent as part of simplifying the contents of the parentheses

• Ignore the parentheses and simplify the exponent first

• Remove the parentheses without simplifying

In the presence of both multiplication and division, how should you proceed?

• Perform division first, always

• Perform multiplication first, always

• Choose based on personal preference

• Proceed based on whichever operation comes first from left to right

If a problem includes both addition and subtraction, how should it be solved?

• Solve addition first, then subtraction

• Solve both operations simultaneously

• Solve based on whichever comes first from left to right

• Solve subtraction first, then addition