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Order of operations (PEMDAS)
When an expression has +, −, ×, ÷, brackets and powers all at once, there's a fixed order to follow.
P
Parentheses (brackets)
Do everything inside ( ) first.
E
Exponents (powers)
2³ before any × or +.
M D
Multiply / Divide
Left to right.
A S
Add / Subtract
Left to right.
A worked example
3 + 4 × (2 + 3)²
= 3 + 4 × 5² (brackets first)
= 3 + 4 × 25 (exponent next)
= 3 + 100 (multiply before add)
= 103
Heads up
Some teachers say BODMAS, others say BIDMAS or GEMS — it's the same rules in different language.