ORDER OF OPERATIONS

 

Learning can be fun for boys and girls!!!   Get ready for an exciting adventure as you explore the order of operations.

This webquest was designed to offer assistance to students having difficulties solving problems using order of operations.  Prior knowledge of solving problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponents will help tremendously as you solve problems in this webquest.  You will learn the acronym for the dancing letters that will help you evaluate problems correctly.  This webquest is intended to give a clear and better understanding of order of operations using hands on practice.
 


 

The Tasks:

The student will:

Learn the acronym used for solving problems using order of operations,
Learn the operation that each letter of the acronym represents,
Learn the correct order in which the operations should be performed in solving a problem, and
Evaluate problems for extra practice.
 

The Resources:

1.  Dr. Ken was asked the question "Why do PEMDAS work?".  This site gives the students the exact question about PEMDAS and Dr. Ken's answer.

2.   This site will give a method to use in solving problems using the order of operations.  It also gives the exact steps needed in correctly solving problems.

3.   This site will re-emphasize the natural order of solving problems. It also gives detailed examples to help you in solving problems you will later work..

4.  This site gives examples of problems being solved using exponents.  There are also some problems there for practice.

5.  This site gives practice problems to be solved.  After solving these problems, you will have a better understanding of using the order of operations.
 


 

The Process:

1.  Dr. Ken was asked the question "Why do PEMDAS work?".  This site gives the students the exact question about PEMDAS and Dr. Ken's answer.  Read the information given to better understand why we use PEMDAS.

2.   This site will give a method to use in solving problems using the order of operations.  It also gives the exact steps needed in correctly solving problems.  Write the acronym listed and all steps for solving problems.

3.   This site will re-emphasize the natural order of solving problems. It also gives detailed examples to help you in solving problems you will later work.  Review all examples given, and evaluate the given problems for extra practice.

4.  This site gives examples of problems being solved using exponents.  There are also  problems for practice.  Review solving problems using exponents and evaluate the given problems for extra practice.

5.  This site gives practice problems to be solved.  After solving these problems, you will have a better understanding of using the order of operations.  Using pencil and paper, solve all problems that are provided.

6.  A personal quiz is available through Quia.  Please go to this site and complete the quiz to test your knowledge of solving problems using the order of operations.  Practice the quiz as often as needed.

Learning Advice:

It may be helpful to keep in mind everything you've learned in this webquest.  It may also be a good idea to take notes of the steps used for solving the problems correctly.  This allows you to have notes available for questions that may arise.  Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!!!!!!  Practice is the key to successfully mastering this skill.

Conclusion:

I told you learning can be fun!!!   You have successfully completed the lesson on order of operations.  Now you know the acronym that tells you which operation should be evaluated before others.  For any additional review, please visit this web page as often as needed.
Please click here to view a powerpoint presentation.

This page  written by DeVondria Brady, for EDU 506.  Last updated on June 26, 2000.