SAT Math : How to find order of operations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Order Of Operations

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In PEMDAS, we apply parentheses first, followed by multiplication and finally subtraction and addition from left to right.

Therefore,

Example Question #52 : Order Of Operations

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In PEMDAS, parentheses from left to right, followed by exponents, multiplication from left to right, and finally addition.

Therefore,

Example Question #53 : Order Of Operations

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In PEMDAS, parentheses is applied with multiplication first followed by subtraction and finally do the exponents and addition.

Therefore,

Example Question #54 : Order Of Operations

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In PEMDAS, the exponent is applied first, followed by parentheses, then multiplication and lastly addition.

Therefore,

Example Question #55 : Order Of Operations

If  and , then what is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 Apply substitution.

Example Question #51 : How To Find Order Of Operations

If  and , then what is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 Apply substitution.

Example Question #52 : How To Find Order Of Operations

Consider the expression 

If the values of all of the variables are known, which operation is carried out third?

Possible Answers:

Multiplication

Addition

Squaring

Subtraction

Division

Correct answer:

Multiplication

Explanation:

The order of operations dictates that any operations within grouping symbols, such as parentheses, be carried out first; in this expression, this is the addition.

This leaves a multiplication, a division, an exponentiation (squaring), and a subtraction. The squaring takes precedence over the others, so it is carried out second. Multiplication and division take precedence over subtraction; since the multiplication is first in left-to-right order, it is carried out third. This makes multiplication the correct response.

Example Question #53 : How To Find Order Of Operations

Consider the expression 

If the values of all of the variables are known, which operation is carried out third?

Possible Answers:

Division

Squaring

Subtraction

Addition

Multiplication

Correct answer:

Division

Explanation:

The order of operations dictates that any operations within grouping symbols is carried out first, going from the innermost symbols to the outermost symbols. The innermost symbols - the parentheses - flank an addition, so that operation is carried out first.

The operations between the outermost symbols - the brackets - are carried out next. There is an exponentiation (squaring), a division, and a subtraction there; by order of operations, the squaring is carried out next, and the division after that. Division is therefore the correct response.

Example Question #54 : How To Find Order Of Operations

Consider the expression 

If the values of all of the variables are known, which operation is carried out third?

Possible Answers:

Subtraction

Addition

Division

Squaring

Multiplication

Correct answer:

Multiplication

Explanation:

The order of operations dictates that any operations within grouping symbols, such as parentheses, be carried out first; in this expression. There are two expressions - an exponentiation (squaring) and an addition - that fall between the parentheses; by the order of operations, the squaring is carried out, then the addition.

This leaves a multiplication, a division, and a subtraction. Multiplication and division have precedence over subtraction; since the multiplication appears first in left-to-right order, the multiplication is carried out next. This makes multiplication the correct response.

Example Question #54 : Order Of Operations

Consider the expression 

If the values of all of the variables are known, which operation is carried out third?

Possible Answers:

Squaring

Subtraction

Addition

Division

Multiplication

Correct answer:

Division

Explanation:

The order of operations dictates that the exponentiation (squaring) be carried out first. The multiplication and the division come next, in left-to-right order; since the multiplication appears to the left, this is worked first, followed by the division. Division is the correct response.

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