Order of Operations for Middle School Math

In mathematics, the order of operations is crucial for solving expressions correctly. To remember the order, we often use the acronym PEMDAS:

• Parentheses
• Exponents
• Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
• Addition and Subt\fraction (from left to right)

Steps to Follow:

1. Parentheses: Solve anything inside parentheses first.
2. Exponents: Next, evaluate powers or square roots.
3. Multiplication and Division: From left to right, perform all multiplication and division.
4. Addition and Subtraction: Finally, proceed with addition and subtraction from left to right.

Example:

Evaluate the expression:

$$3 + 5 \times (2^{2} - 1)$$