Order of Operations

This WebQuest is used to develop a students ability to use order of operations.

By completing this WebQuest, learners understand the different steps of PEMDAS, and how they work to help complete problems that requires Order of Operations. Learners will be able to use PEMDAS to complete problems of variuos difficulty levels. 

Identifying PEMDAS

1. 1.  What is PEMDAS?

• PEMDAS is an abbreviation used for remembering the Order of Operations. 
• PEMDAS stands for:                                                                                                     P = Parenthesis                                                                                                         E = Exponents                                                                                                             M= Multiplication                                                                                                         D = Division                                                                                                                   A = Addition                                                                                                                S = Subtraction 

• Sample Problem:                                                                                                       10+6/2                                                                                                                           By following the order of operations, we know that we must divide before adding, so 6/2=3. The second step is to ass 10+3, so the answer is 13. When using PEMDAS it is important to remember the order and to remember that the multiplication and division are interchangeable, as well as addition and subtraction are interchangeable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Solving Problems with PEMDAS

1. When is PEMDAS used?

• We use PEMDAS when there are multiple parts to an equation that involves different operations.

2. How to use PEMDAS?

• When using PEMDAS, we first need to look at the operations to know what to do first.
• Sample Problem:                                                                                                         10-(6/2)x3                                                                                                                 By remembering PEMDAS, we must first solve the operation inside the parenthesis. Since 6/2=3, the equation now becomes 8-3x3. Looking at PEMDAS we know that the next operation to solve is 3x3, which is 9. The equation then becomes 10-9=1. Now we know that 10-(6/2)x3=1.