Page 47 - BUSINESS MATHEMATICS MODULE 1 (WHOLE)_revised 10.20.2020

LESSON 3. ORDER OF OPERATION

In Examples 1 and 2, you will notice that multiplication and division were evaluated from left to
right according to Rule (i). Similarly, addition and subtraction were evaluated from left to right,
according to Rule (ii).
3. Evaluate 150 ÷ 6 + 3 x 8 - 5 using the order of operations.

Solution:
Step 1: 150 ÷ 6 + 3 x 8 – 5 = 25 + 3 x 8 - 5 Division
Step 2: 25 + 3 x 8 – 5 = 25 + 24 - 5 Multiplication

Step 3: 25 + 24 – 5 = 49 - 5 Addition

Step 4: 49 – 5 = 44 Subtraction

B. PEMDAS (GEMDAS)
For cases where the expression involves signs or symbols of groupings such as parenthesis,

brackets, braces, and exponent, the PEMDAS rule is applied.

PEMDAS rule stands for Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and
Subtraction. In some instances, the PEMDAS rule is also known as the GEMDAS which stands for

Groupings, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. Though parenthesis is M1_L3
commonly used as a grouping symbol in most mathematical expressions other signs or symbols are

also used like brackets “[ ]”, braces “{ }”, and vinculum.
Note: A vinculum is a horizontal line drawn over a group of terms in a mathematical expression

to indicate that they are to be operated on as a single entity by the preceding or following

operator.

vinculum

The Order of Operations is shown below.

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