Order of Operations (PEMDAS) — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What is the value of 2³ + 5 × 3?
A) 39
B) 23
C) 19
D) 29
Exponents first: 2³ = 8, then multiply 5 × 3 = 15, and add 8 + 15 = 23.
2. Evaluate: (7 - 4)² + 6
A) 12
B) 15
C) 45
D) 21
Parentheses first: (7 - 4) = 3, then exponent: 3² = 9, and finally add 9 + 6 = 15.
3. What is 6² ÷ 9 + 2 × 5?
A) 14
B) 12
C) 8
D) 24
Exponent first: 6² = 36, then divide and multiply: 36 ÷ 9 = 4 and 2 × 5 = 10, then add 4 + 10 = 14.
4. Evaluate: 3 × (2 + 1)² - 7
A) 20
B) 14
C) 27
D) 32
Parentheses first: (2 + 1) = 3, then exponent: 3² = 9, multiply 3 × 9 = 27, and subtract 27 - 7 = 20.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. 4² - 2 × 5 = 6.
Exponent first: 4² = 16, then multiply 2 × 5 = 10, and subtract 16 - 10 = 6.
2. (5 - 2)² × 2 + 1 = 19.
Parentheses first: (5 - 2) = 3, then exponent: 3² = 9, multiply 9 × 2 = 18, and add 18 + 1 = 19.
3. 3³ - 4 × 6 = 3.
Exponent first: 3³ = 27, then multiply 4 × 6 = 24, and subtract 27 - 24 = 3.
4. (4 + 1)² ÷ 5 - 2 = 3.
Parentheses first: (4 + 1) = 5, then exponent: 5² = 25, divide 25 ÷ 5 = 5, and subtract 5 - 2 = 3.
5. 2² × 3 + 5² ÷ 5 = 17.
Exponents first: 2² = 4 and 5² = 25, then multiply and divide: 4 × 3 = 12 and 25 ÷ 5 = 5, then add 12 + 5 = 17.