To get the correct solution to any math problem, you must do things in the proper order. That order is dictated by the order of operations rules. The basic rules are as follows:
Rule one: If there are parentheses, do the stuff in parentheses first. If there are parentheses within parentheses (nested), work from the inside out.
Rule two: If there are exponents and roots, resolve them left to right.
Rule three: Do all multiplication and division, working left to right.
Rule four: do all addition and subtraction problems, working left to right.
Last Modified: 02/15/2019