Math Equation Solver | Order of Operations (2024)

Calculator Use

Solve math problems using order of operations like PEMDAS, BEDMAS, BODMAS, GEMDAS and MDAS. (PEMDAS Caution) This calculator solves math equations that add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative numbers and exponential numbers. You can also include parentheses and numbers with exponents or roots in your equations.

Use these math symbols:

+Addition
-Subtraction
*Multiplication
/Division
^Exponents (2^5 is 2 raised to the power of 5)
rRoots (2r3 is the 3rd root of 2)
() [] {}Brackets or Grouping

You can try to copy equations from other printed sources and paste them here and, if they use ÷ for division and × for multiplication, this equation calculator will try to convert them to / and * respectively but in some cases you may need to retype copied and pasted symbols or even full equations.

If your equation has fractional exponents or roots be sure to enclose the fractions in parentheses. For example:

  • 5^(2/3) is 5 raised to the 2/3
  • 5r(1/4) is the 1/4 root of 5 which is the same as 5 raised to the 4th power

Entering fractions

If you want an entry such as 1/2 to be treated as a fraction then enter it as (1/2). For example, in the equation 4 divided by ½ you must enter it as 4/(1/2). Then the division 1/2 = 0.5 is performed first and 4/0.5 = 8 is performed last. If you incorrectly enter it as 4/1/2 then it is solved 4/1 = 4 first then 4/2 = 2 last. 2 is a wrong answer. 8 was the correct answer.

Math Order of Operations - PEMDAS, BEDMAS, BODMAS, GEMDAS, MDAS

PEMDAS is an acronym that may help you remember order of operations for solving math equations. PEMDAS is typcially expanded into the phrase, "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally." The first letter of each word in the phrase creates the PEMDAS acronym. Solve math problems with the standard mathematical order of operations, working left to right:

  1. Parentheses, Brackets, Grouping - working left to right in the equation, find and solve expressions in parentheses first; if you have nested parentheses then work from the innermost to outermost
  2. Exponents and Roots - working left to right in the equation, calculate all exponential and root expressions second
  3. Multiplication and Division - next, solve both multiplication AND division expressions as they occur, working left to right in the equation. For the MDAS rule, you'll start with this step.
  4. Addition and Subtraction - next, solve both addition AND subtraction expressions as they occur, working left to right in the equation

PEMDAS Caution

Multiplication DOES NOT always get performed before Division. Multiplication and Division are performed as they occur in the equation, from left to right.

Addition DOES NOT always get performed before Subtraction. Addition and Subtraction are performed as they occur in the equation, from left to right.

The order "MD" (DM in BEDMAS) is sometimes confused to mean that Multiplication happens before Division (or vice versa). However, multiplication and division have the same precedence. In other words, multiplication and division are performed during the same step from left to right. For example, 4/2*2 = 4 and 4/2*2 does not equal 1.

The same confusion can also happen with "AS" however, addition and subtraction also have the same precedence and are performed during the same step from left to right. For example, 5 - 3 + 2 = 4 and 5 - 3 + 2 does not equal 0.

A way to remember this could be to write PEMDAS as PE(MD)(AS) or BEDMAS as BE(DM)(AS).

Order of Operations Acronyms

The acronyms for order of operations mean you should solve equations in this order always working left to right in your equation.

PEMDAS stands for "Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction"

You may also see BEDMAS, BODMAS, and GEMDAS as order of operations acronyms. In these acronyms, "brackets" are the same as parentheses, and "order" is the same as exponents. For GEMDAS, "grouping" is like parentheses or brackets.

BEDMAS stands for "Brackets, Exponents, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction"

BEDMAS is similar to BODMAS.

BODMAS stands for "Brackets, Order, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction"

GEMDAS stands for "Grouping, Exponents, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction"

MDAS is a subset of the acronyms above. It stands for "Multiplication, and Division, Addition and Subtraction"

Operator Associativity

Multiplication, division, addition and subtraction are left-associative. This means that when you are solving multiplication and division expressions you proceed from the left side of your equation to the right. Similarly, when you are solving addition and subtraction expressions you proceed from left to right.

Examples of left-associativity:

  • a / b * c = (a / b) * c
  • a + b - c = (a + b) - c

Exponents and roots or radicals are right-associative and are solved from right to left.

Examples of right-associativity:

  • 2^3^4^5 = 2^(3^(4^5))
  • 2r3^(4/5) = 2r(3^(4/5))

For nested parentheses or brackets, solve the innermost parentheses or bracket expressions first and work toward the outermost parentheses. For each expression within parentheses, follow the rest of the PEMDAS order: First calculate exponents and radicals, then multiplication and division, and finally addition and subtraction.

You can solve multiplication and division during the same step in the math problem: after solving for parentheses, exponents and radicals and before adding and subtracting. Proceed from left to right for multiplication and division. Solve addition and subtraction last after parentheses, exponents, roots and multiplying/dividing. Again, proceed from left to right for adding and subtracting.

Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Positive and Negative Numbers

This calculator follows standard rules to solve equations.

Rules for Addition Operations (+)

If signs are the same then keep the sign and add the numbers.

(-) + (-) = (-)

(+) + (+) = (+)

-21 + -9 = - 30

(+7) + (+13) = (+20)

If signs are different then subtract the smaller number from the larger number and keep the sign of the larger number.

(-Large) + (+Small) = (-)

(-Small) + (+Large) = (+)

(-13) + (+5) = (-8)

(-7) + (+9) = (+2)

Rules for Subtraction Operations (-)

Keep the sign of the first number. Change all the following subtraction signs to addition signs. Change the sign of each number that follows so that positive becomes negative, and negative becomes positive then follow the rules for addition problems.

(-) - (-) =

(-) - (+) =

(+) - (-) =

(-15) - (-7) =

(-5) - (+6) =

(+4) - (-3) =

(-15) + (+7) = (-8)

(-5) + (-6) = (-11)

(+4) + (+3) = (+7)

Rules for Multiplication Operations (* or ×)

Multiplying a negative by a negative or a positive by a positive produces a positive result. Multiplying a positive by a negative or a negative by a positive produces a negative result.

(-) * (-) = (+)

(+) * (+) = (+)

(+) * (-) = (-)

(-) * (+) = (-)

-10 * -2 = 20

10 * 2 = 20

10 * -2 = -20

-10 * 2 = -20

(-) × (-) = (+)

(+) × (+) = (+)

(+) × (-) = (-)

(-) × (+) = (-)

-10 × -2 = 20

10 × 2 = 20

10 × -2 = -20

-10 × 2 = -20

Rules for Division Operations (/ or ÷)

Similar to multiplication, dividing a negative by a negative or a positive by a positive produces a positive result. Dividing a positive by a negative or a negative by a positive produces a negative result.

(-) / (-) = (+)

(+) / (+) = (+)

(+) / (-) = (-)

(-) / (+) = (-)

-10 / -2 = 5

10 / 2 = 5

10 / -2 = -5

-10 / 2 = -5

(-) ÷ (-) = (+)

(+) ÷ (+) = (+)

(+) ÷ (-) = (-)

(-) ÷ (+) = (-)

-10 ÷ -2 = 5

10 ÷ 2 = 5

10 ÷ -2 = -5

-10 ÷ 2 = -5

Math Equation Solver | Order of Operations (2024)

FAQs

What is the best equation solver? ›

Wolfram|Alpha is a great tool for finding polynomial roots and solving systems of equations. It also factors polynomials, plots polynomial solution sets and inequalities and more.

How to solve order of operations math problem? ›

The order of operations can be remembered by the acronym PEMDAS, which stands for: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division from left to right, and addition and subtraction from left to right. First, simplify what is in parentheses. Then, do any exponents. Next, multiply and divide from left to right.

Is PEMDAS wrong? ›

There is no universally accepted rule as there are several: PEMDAS, BEDMAS, PE(MD)AS. It is not possible to say what is correct and what is incorrect. There are different rules, leading to different results. The expression is not well defined.

What is the PEMDAS equation in math? ›

To help students in the United States remember this order of operations, teachers drill the acronym PEMDAS into them: parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction.

Does Photomath give accurate answers? ›

Photomath is using cutting edge AI-powered solving and recognition capabilities, that is why most of our solutions are to the point, and the issue might be in the incorrectly scanned problem. If the result is wrong, first check that the math problem you scanned is the same as the one recognized by Photomath.

What is the website that solves math equations? ›

Wolfram|Alpha has broad knowledge and deep computational power when it comes to math. Whether it be arithmetic, algebra, calculus, differential equations or anything in between, Wolfram|Alpha is up to the challenge.

Does it matter if you multiply or divide first? ›

Returning to the above example, the correct answer would be the first answer as it follows the rules of BODMAS: division can be done before multiplication and must be done before addition, and multiplication comes before addition. So the answer is 12.8 . We will now look at more examples to practice using BODMAS.

Is BODMAS or PEMDAS correct? ›

These acronyms differ based on where they are used. For example, PEMDAS is commonly used by mathematicians in the US, while BODMAS and BIDMAS are commonly used in the UK. Canada and New Zealand often use BEDMAS.

What grade level is order of operations? ›

At the most basic level, children in fourth grade will learn numbers, the order of operations (PEMDAS) which is taught by most as Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sue, it is an easy way for the children to remember the order of operations which is parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

What is the trick for PEMDAS? ›

Finally, solve the addition and subtraction operations, working left to right. One way to remember the PEMDAS rule, including solving left to right, is with “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally and Let her Rest.” Begin with the innermost parentheses: 8 - 6 = 2. We now have 2 + 3(2).

What replaced PEMDAS? ›

GEMS stands for "Groupings, Exponents, Multiply/Divide, Subtract/Add". Why do we like it better? The G stands for groupings so it includes parentheses, brackets, braces, and fraction bars. The E stands for exponents just like in the old PEMDAS acronym.

What is the correct order of operations in math? ›

The order of operations are the rules that tell us the sequence in which we should solve an expression with multiple operations. The order is PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

Do you add or subtract first? ›

Addition and Subtraction

You can do subtraction first, or you can do addition first. They are part of the same step, however, they can only be done after items in parentheses, exponents, and any multiplication and division.

What is the mnemonic for the order of operations? ›

The acronym PEMDAS is common in the United States and France. It stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction. PEMDAS is sometimes expanded to the mnemonic "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" in schools.

Who is the greatest math solver in the world? ›

Neelakantha Bhanu's Post. As the World's Fastest Human Calculator, I see every day as a celebration of math... But tomorrow is special – it's International Math Day!

Is there anything better than Photomath? ›

The best overall Photomath alternative is Kahoot!. Other similar apps like Photomath are Mentimeter, Quizlet, Quizizz, and Brainscape. Photomath alternatives can be found in Study Tools but may also be in Audience Response Software or Digital Learning Platforms. Have you used Photomath before?

What is the best way to solve an equation? ›

The following steps provide a good method to use when solving linear equations.
  1. Simplify each side of the equation by removing parentheses and combining like terms.
  2. Use addition or subtraction to isolate the variable term on one side of the equation.
  3. Use multiplication or division to solve for the variable.
Sep 7, 2021

Who is the best human math solver? ›

Meet Bhanu Prakash, the world's fastest human calculator who broke Shakuntala Devi's record. Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash is now known as the world's fastest human computer. At 21, Bhanu Prakash holds 4 world records and 50 Limca records for solving math problems at a high speed. How quickly can you perform mental math?

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