Summary Order of Operations (PEMDAS) Study Guide | Algebra 1 Essentials

■ ORDER OF OPERATIONS (PEMDAS)
CHEAT SHEET
The Ultimate Quick-Reference Guide for High School Math




The PEMDAS Order Framework

Letter Operation Direction & Core Rule


P Parentheses ( ) Always solve inside groupings, brackets, or absolute values first.


E Exponents x² Simplify square roots, cubes, and indices right after parentheses.


M Multiplication × Crucial: Grouped together with Division. Solve them from Left to Right.


D Division ÷ Crucial: Grouped together with Multiplication. Solve them from Left to Right.


A Addition + Grouped together with Subtraction. Solve them from Left to Right.


S Subtraction - Grouped together with Addition. Solve them from Left to Right.




■ Guided Step-by-Step Example
Problem: Simplify the expression: 4 + 3 × (2 + 3)² - 10 ÷ 2

Step 1 (Parentheses): Look inside the (2 + 3) group first.
4 + 3 × (5)² - 10 ÷ 2

Step 2 (Exponents): Evaluate the exponent next: 5² = 25.
4 + 3 × 25 - 10 ÷ 2

Step 3 (Multiplication & Division): Moving left to right, complete multiplication and division as they appear.
• First: 3 × 25 = 75 → 4 + 75 - 10 ÷ 2
• Next: 10 ÷ 2 = 5 → 4 + 75 - 5

Step 4 (Addition & Subtraction): Moving left to right, complete addition and subtraction.
• First: 4 + 75 = 79 → 79 - 5
• Final Answer: 79 - 5 = 74