Transcript Slide 1

Order of operations is a set of rules. It tells you
the order in which to compute so that you’ll get
the same answer that anyone else would get.
Compute 6 + 4 x 3 ÷ 6 =
If you work in order from left But, if you knew about order
of operations, you’d do this.
to right, you’d do this first.
6+4x3÷6=
6+4x3÷6
12
10
10 x 3 ÷ 6
30
30 ÷ 6 = 5
6 + 12 ÷ 6
2
6+2=8
If you work in order from left But, if you knew about order
of operations, you’d do this.
to right, you’d do this first.
6+4x3÷6=
12
10
10 x 3 ÷ 6
30
30 ÷ 6 = 5

6+4x3÷6
6 + 12 ÷ 6
2
6+2=8
6 + 4 x 3 ÷ 6 really does equal 8. The order of operations
makes sure that there is only one correct answer for this
or any other computation.
Click on the computer for
an Order of Operation mini lesson
Sometimes, when you write a problem, you don’t
want to follow the regular order of operations.
You can use parentheses to say do this first.
Each of 5 friends got a full box of snacks and an
extra 6 snacks. Write an equation to show how
many snacks are in all those boxes and all those
extra snacks. (Each snack box has the same
amount of snacks.)
represents a snack box
Each of 5 friends got a full box of snacks and an extra 6 snacks.
Write an equation to show how many snacks are in all those
boxes and all those extra snacks
Even if you don’t know how many snacks are
in a box, you can write an expression to show
how many.
5x
+6
Each of 5 friends got a full box of snacks and an extra 6 snacks.
Write an equation to show how many snacks are in all those
boxes and all those extra snacks
5x
+6
The order of operations would tell you to multiply 5 by
then
add 6. But every friend has a sum of snacks (
+ 6) and you
want to multiply the sum by 5.
The order of operations would tell you to multiply 5 by
then
add 6. But every friend has a sum of snacks (
+ 6) and you
want to multiply the sum b y 5.
 Use parentheses to group the sum:
So, if
5x(
= 4, you compute like this:
5 x (4 + 6)
5 x 10 = 50
+ 6).
To make sure that everyone finds the same answer when
computing, we have rules called order of operations.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Compute inside the parentheses.
Calculate the exponents and roots.
Multiply or divide left to right.
Add or Subtract left to right.
This silly sentence may
help you remember:
“Please excuse my dear
Aunt Sally.”
1. Compute inside the parentheses.
2. Calculate the exponents and roots.
3. Multiply or divide left to right.
4. Add or Subtract left to right.
5 friends have collected 300 cans. They take them
to the store that pays 6¢ each for aluminum cans.
Fifteen of the cans are not aluminum. If they
share the money equally, how much does each friend
get?
Set up the equation
300 cans, 15 of them worthless
300 - 15
Each aluminum can is worth 6¢
6 x (300 – 15)
Five friends share equally
6 x (300 – 15) ÷ 5
6 x (300 – 15) ÷ 5
Follow the Order of Operations
1. Compute inside parentheses
6 x (285) ÷ 5
2. Do the exponents or roots
no exponents or roots
3. Multiply or divide left to right
6 x (285) = 1710
1710 ÷ 5 = 342

Each friend will get 342¢ or $3.42 for the cans.
4 x (53 – 18) ÷ 5 =
Remember : Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally
1. Compute inside the parentheses
4 x (53 – 18) ÷ 5 =
4 x 35 ÷ 5 =
4 x (53 – 18) ÷ 5 =
Remember : Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally
2. Do the exponents or roots
3. Multiply or divide left to right
4 x 35 ÷ 5 =
140 ÷ 5 = 28
no exponents or roots
16 ÷ 4 + (4 – 3) x 4
Remember : Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally
16 ÷ 4 + (4 – 3) x 4
16 ÷ 4 + 1 x 4
4
+
4
4 + 4 = 8