FinanceCalcs
Order of Operations Calculator
Enter any math expression and see every step of PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division, Addition & Subtraction) worked through clearly. Great for checking homework and understanding why the order matters.
PEMDAS Steps
PEMDAS Reference
"Without order of operations, 3 + 4 × 2 could equal 14 (if you add first) or 11 (if you multiply first). Everyone needs to agree on the same rules — that’s why PEMDAS exists."
Why does order matter?
Consider: 3 + 4 × 2. If you go left to right: 3 + 4 = 7, then 7 × 2 = 14. But PEMDAS says multiply first: 4 × 2 = 8, then 3 + 8 = 11. Two people get completely different answers from the same expression without agreed rules.
Parentheses let you override the order. (3 + 4) × 2 = 7 × 2 = 14 — because the brackets force addition to happen first. Brackets are the most powerful tool in any expression.
Multiplication and division have equal priority and are done left to right. Same for addition and subtraction. So 6 ÷ 2 × 3 = 3 × 3 = 9, not 6 ÷ 6 = 1.
Quick Questions
What is BODMAS? Is it different from PEMDAS?
Same rules, different name! BODMAS stands for Brackets, Orders (exponents), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. It’s used in the UK, Australia, and India. PEMDAS is used in the US. Both give the same answer — multiplication and division are the same priority level, as are addition and subtraction.
What does “left to right” mean?
When two operations have the same priority (like × and ÷, or + and −), you work through them in order from left to right. So in 12 ÷ 4 × 3: first 12 ÷ 4 = 3, then 3 × 3 = 9. Many students mistakenly do multiplication before division, getting 12 ÷ 12 = 1. The trick: think of them as one level, work left to right.
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