Topic Details (Notes format)

How to Evaluate Expressions Using Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS)

Subject: Mathematics

Book: Maths Mastery

PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) or BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction) clarifies the sequence in which to tackle operations. For example, to evaluate 3 + 2 × (5 – 2)², start inside parentheses: (5 – 2) = 3, then exponents: 3² = 9, next multiplication: 2 × 9 = 18, and finally addition: 3 + 18 = 21. Following this strict hierarchy prevents confusion and ensures consistent results across all math problems. This concept underpins everything from basic arithmetic to advanced algebra, guaranteeing accurate calculations in daily life—like computing tax on multiple items or analyzing complex spreadsheet formulas.

Practice Questions

If a+b = 10 and ab = 21, what is the value of (a-b)^2?

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If x^2 + 4x + 4 = 0, what is the value of x?

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If two complementary angles differ by 30°, what are the angles?

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What is the square root of 144?

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What is the slope of a line passing through the points (2, 3) and (4, 7)?

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If x^3 - 3x^2 + 4 = 0, what is one root of the equation?

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If 2x - 3 = 7, what is the value of x?

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What is the square root of 0.25?

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What is the HCF of 48 and 180?

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If x = 2 and y = 3, what is the value of (x^2 + y^2)?

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