As you already know that addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are the four basic operations in mathematics. In elementary grades (from grade one to five) students learn these operations one by one.
Once the students move to grade six, they start to see all of these operations combined in the math problems. The problems become more complex when brackets (parenthesis) and exponents are introduced in grade six. Now with four basic operations, the students have to deal with brackets and exponents too.
At this stage, students need encouragement and appreciation for their efforts and motivation. Because in lower grades, some topics, such as leaning times tables or prime factorization were not less challenging. If the students have learned those, learning all operations together is not that cumbersome. The need is just for self-confidence, motivation and hard work. Approaching these complex problems properly and systematically makes the student's work lot easier.
The order of operations is a "must know" for grade six or higher grades students to make the complex problems (having the mix of all the four operations, brackets and exponents) easy.
The Order of Operations is the order by which four operations, brackets and exponents are solved in the complex math problems. To keep the order, to solve all the operations, in mind or to memorize it, the word "BEDMAS" can be memorized. This word is a code word for all the operations and it is decoded below:
B means Brackets
If there are brackets present in the problem, always get rid of them first of all.
E means Exponents
After solving the brackets, look for exponents in the question and solve them. By the way, exponents are the powers raised to the numbers.
D means Divide
Once the brackets and exponents (powers) are gone, look for divide signs and solve the parts of the question which have divide signs.
M means Multiplication
After solving for divide signs, solve the parts of the problem having multiply signs.
A means Add
Once you have solved for brackets, exponents, divide and multiply, the only signs you see are plus and minus. Add the numbers together having the plus signs at their front.
S means Subtract
Finally you will end up with all the negative numbers and one positive number you obtained from the previous step. Subtract the numbers to get the final answer.
Remember that always start working on the problems from left to right. More problems you practice on order of operations, easier the process will become. Also you learn lot of the new tricks by practicing more problems.
To learn order of operations, you have to stick to my articles as I am not throwing whole lot of information at you in one shot. We will go step by step, together to explore the order of operations. Remembering BEDMAS and by knowing how to apply it in the different kinds of math problems is a skill and I will develop that skill in all my readers. Also BEDMAS is one of the keys to algebra building. If you know how to solve math problems with multiple operations, algebra becomes much easier for you.
In my next article you will start learning the basic order of operations involving four mathematical operations first. My goal here is not to tell you what to do, but how to do also.
