In arithmetic and elementary algebra, certain rules are used for the order in which the operations in algebraic expressions are to be evaluated. These precedence rules (which are mere notational conventions, not mathematical facts) are also used in many programming languages and by most modern calculators. In computing the standard algebraic notation is known as infix notation. This article assumes the reader is familiar with addition, division, exponential powerss, multiplication, and subtraction.
The standard order of operations:
Because of the order Parentheses, Powers, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction, the mnemonic "Please Punch My Dear Aunt Sally" is sometimes used as an aid in learning this sequence.
- 1. Evaluate subexpressions contained within brackets, bars, or parentheses, starting with the innermost expressions.
- 2. Evaluate powers; for iterated powers, start from the right:
- 3. Evaluate multiplications and divisions, starting from the left:
- 4. Evaluate additions and subtractions, starting from the left:
In the UK, the acronym BODMAS is used for Brackets, raise to the power Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
