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Mathematical Operations

The Order of Mathematical Operations

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

Mathematical operations are performed in this order:

Parentheses

Exponents

Multiplication/Division (left to right)

Addition/Subtraction (left to right).

For example, in the expression 2 + 3 x 4, mathematicians have agreed to perform the multiplication before the addition. So the answer is 2 + 12 = 14, not 5 x 4 = 20.

Contributed by:
Mark Stanton
High School Math Teacher
New York City

Fractions

Dividing Fractions

Kentucky Chicken Fried
Notice the name is switched a little from that most famous fast-food chicken joint from blue grass country. Use "Kentucky Chicken Fried" to remember KCF.

K -- Keep (the first fraction)

C -- Change (the sign from divide to multiply)

F -- Flip (the last fraction)

Contributed by:
Leanne Sliva
Herman Middle School, Van Vleck, Texas
leannesliva@earthlink.net

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