Order of Operations (PEMDAS) — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What is the value of 3² + 4 × 2?
A) 26
B) 11
C) 17
D) 22
Exponents first: 3² = 9. Multiply: 4 × 2 = 8. Add: 9 + 8 = 17.
2. Evaluate: (2 + 3)² − 10
A) 25
B) 15
C) 5
D) 35
Parentheses first: (2 + 3) = 5. Exponent: 5² = 25. Subtract: 25 − 10 = 15.
3. What is 4² ÷ 8 + 3 × 2?
A) 10
B) 8
C) 7
D) 4
Exponent: 4² = 16. Then left to right (multiplication and division): 16 ÷ 8 = 2 and 3 × 2 = 6. Add: 2 + 6 = 8.
4. Evaluate: 2 × (1 + 3)² ÷ 4
A) 16
B) 4
C) 8
D) 32
Parentheses: (1 + 3) = 4. Exponent: 4² = 16. Then left to right: 2 × 16 = 32; 32 ÷ 4 = 8.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. 5² - 3 × 7 = 4.
Exponent: 5² = 25. Multiply: 3 × 7 = 21. Subtract: 25 − 21 = 4.
2. (6 - 2)² + 9 = 25.
Parentheses: (6 − 2) = 4. Exponent: 4² = 16. Add: 16 + 9 = 25.
3. 2³ + 4 × 3 - 5 = 15.
Exponent: 2³ = 8. Multiply: 4 × 3 = 12. Then: 8 + 12 − 5 = 15.
4. (3 + 2)² ÷ 5 + 1 = 6.
Parentheses: (3 + 2) = 5. Exponent: 5² = 25. Divide: 25 ÷ 5 = 5. Add: 5 + 1 = 6.
5. 10 - 2² × 2 + 1 = 3.
Exponent: 2² = 4. Multiply: 4 × 2 = 8. Then left to right: 10 − 8 + 1 = 2 + 1 = 3.