BEDMAS - Math Central

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Quandaries & Queries

Question from Jenna, a teacher:

ok my question is
How do u do BEDMAS in the correct order when it's set up in a weird order without getting confused
I.E
(18-4)exponent2 divided by 2

Jenna,

B stands for brackets or parentheses so you first perform the operation inside the parentheses, 18 - 4 = 14.

Now you have 14exponent2 divided by 2

E stands for exponentiation so perform the exponential operation 14² = 196.

Now you have 196 divided by 2.

The only operation remaining is division and 196/2 = 98.

Thus (18-4)exponent2 divided by 2 = 98.

Penny

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