How To Use The Order of Operations (PEMDAS) โ€“ Example Problem

TabletClass Math
30 Sept 202118:17
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this educational video, John, the founder of Tablet Class Math, emphasizes the importance of understanding the order of operations (PEMDAS) in mathematics. He discusses common mistakes students make, such as not performing exponents first or incorrectly handling the sequence of multiplication and division. Through a detailed walkthrough of a practice problem, John aims to clarify these concepts and improve viewers' mathematical skills.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿ“ Understanding the order of operations (PEMDAS) is crucial for solving mathematical problems correctly.
  • ๐Ÿค” Many students struggle with the order of operations, so reviewing it can help strengthen math skills.
  • ๐Ÿ‘‹ Introduction to John, the founder of Tablet Class Math and an experienced math teacher.
  • ๐Ÿ“š The order of operations is typically taught at the middle school level and refined further in high school.
  • ๐Ÿ”ข PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
  • ๐ŸŒŸ It's important to handle operations inside parentheses or brackets first, as they take precedence.
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Powers (exponents) should be calculated next, before moving on to multiplication and division.
  • ๐Ÿง  Multiplication and division should be performed from left to right, followed by addition and subtraction, also from left to right.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š When dealing with fractions, simplify the numerator and denominator independently before combining them.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Common mistakes include not performing powers first and incorrectly handling the order between multiplication/division and addition/subtraction.
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Takeaways from the video script emphasize the importance of showing work, double-checking calculations, and learning from mistakes.
Q & A
  • What is the main topic of the transcript?

    -The main topic of the transcript is the order of operations in mathematics, specifically focusing on the acronym PEMDAS and common mistakes students make when applying it.

  • Who is the speaker in the transcript?

    -The speaker in the transcript is John, the founder of Tablet Class Math and a middle and high school math teacher.

  • What does the acronym PEMDAS stand for?

    -The acronym PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents (or Powers), Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

  • Why is understanding the order of operations important in mathematics?

    -Understanding the order of operations is crucial because it ensures the correct solution to mathematical problems by dictating the sequence in which different operations should be performed.

  • What is a common mistake students make with the order of operations?

    -A common mistake students make is not following the correct sequence of operations, often mistakenly believing they must perform multiplication before division regardless of the order in which they appear in the expression.

  • How does the speaker suggest students approach solving a math problem?

    -The speaker suggests students approach problems step by step, focusing on one operation at a time and showing their work to allow for review and correction of any mistakes.

  • What is the speaker's advice for students who are struggling with the order of operations?

    -The speaker advises struggling students to review the concept, ensure they truly understand it, and practice problems to strengthen their understanding and avoid common errors.

  • What does the speaker emphasize about handling negative numbers in math problems?

    -The speaker emphasizes the importance of being careful with positive and negative number rules to avoid mistakes, especially when dealing with subtraction in an expression.

  • What is the purpose of the practice problem presented in the transcript?

    -The purpose of the practice problem is to review and demonstrate the correct application of the order of operations, highlighting common errors and providing a step-by-step guide to solving it.

  • How does the speaker use the acronym PEMDAS to guide through the problem?

    -The speaker uses PEMDAS as a mnemonic guide, starting with operations inside parentheses, followed by exponents, and then proceeding through multiplication and division from left to right, before finally handling addition and subtraction.

  • What is the speaker's final message to the viewers?

    -The speaker encourages viewers to learn from any mistakes they might have made while trying the practice problem, emphasizing that understanding and correcting errors is the key to improvement in mathematics.

Outlines
00:00
๐Ÿ“š Introduction to Order of Operations

The video begins with an introduction to the order of operations, emphasizing its importance in mathematics. The speaker, John, explains that many students struggle with understanding the order of operations, particularly at the middle school level. He introduces himself as the founder of Tablet Class Math and a teacher, and encourages viewers to check out his online math classes and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more math content. John also presents a practice problem to the audience, urging them to try it without a calculator before he proceeds to solve it, highlighting common mistakes students make.

05:01
๐Ÿ“ Understanding Pemdas

In this segment, John delves into the acronym PEMDAS, which is a mnemonic for remembering the order of operations. He explains that 'P' stands for parentheses, emphasizing the need to solve expressions inside these grouping symbols first. John clarifies that 'E' represents exponents or powers, which should be calculated next. He also addresses the common confusion between multiplication and division, as well as addition and subtraction, stressing the importance of tackling them from left to right as they appear in the expression. John encourages viewers to simplify expressions step by step and to show their work for review and correction.

10:01
๐Ÿงฎ Solving the Practice Problem

John continues by solving the practice problem, meticulously following the PEMDAS order. He breaks down the process, starting with the numerator and focusing on the 'P' for parentheses. After dealing with the exponents, John tackles the multiplication and division within the numerator, highlighting the common mistake of not adhering to the left-to-right rule. He then moves on to the denominator, again following the PEMDAS order and correcting the mistake of prioritizing multiplication over division. John emphasizes the importance of accuracy and patience in solving math problems, advising viewers to take one or two steps at a time and to double-check their work.

15:01
๐ŸŽ“ Reflecting on Common Errors and Learning

In the final part, John reflects on the common errors made by students regarding the order of operations. He reiterates the importance of understanding and applying the PEMDAS rule correctly. John encourages viewers to learn from their mistakes and to focus on the details of each problem. He concludes the video by wishing viewers success in their mathematical endeavors and reminds them to show their work and review it carefully. John's teaching style is engaging and informative, aiming to help students strengthen their understanding of the order of operations and improve their math skills.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กOrder of Operations
The Order of Operations is a set of rules that determines the sequence in which mathematical operations should be performed to ensure the correct result. In the video, it is emphasized as a crucial concept that often trips up students, and the speaker aims to clarify common misunderstandings around it. The acronym PEMDAS is introduced as a mnemonic to remember the sequence: Parentheses (or grouping symbols), Exponents (or powers), Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
๐Ÿ’กPEMDAS
PEMDAS is an acronym used to remember the order in which mathematical operations should be performed. It stands for Parentheses, Exponents (or powers), Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right). In the video, the speaker explains that this mnemonic serves as a guide to help students avoid common errors and improve their understanding of the Order of Operations.
๐Ÿ’กParentheses
Parentheses, along with brackets and other grouping symbols, are used in mathematics to group expressions together, indicating that the operations inside them should be performed first. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing operations within parentheses before moving on to other parts of the expression, as per the PEMDAS rule.
๐Ÿ’กExponents
Exponents, also referred to as powers, indicate the number of times a base is multiplied by itself. In the video, the speaker explains that exponents should be calculated next after parentheses, according to the PEMDAS rule. The correct interpretation and calculation of exponents are highlighted as a common area where students make mistakes.
๐Ÿ’กMultiplication and Division
Multiplication and Division are mathematical operations that are performed according to the PEMDAS rule, after Parentheses and Exponents, and before Addition and Subtraction. They must be carried out from left to right as they appear in the expression. The video emphasizes that students often confuse the order in which these operations should be performed.
๐Ÿ’กAddition and Subtraction
Addition and Subtraction are the last operations to be performed in a mathematical expression, as per the PEMDAS rule. They are also carried out from left to right. The video points out that, like Multiplication and Division, students must be careful to perform these operations in the correct sequence to avoid errors.
๐Ÿ’กMathematical Operators
Mathematical Operators are symbols that represent mathematical operations such as addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (ร— or *), division (รท or /), and exponentiation (^ or **). In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of following the correct order of these operators as outlined by the Order of Operations and PEMDAS to arrive at the correct solution to a problem.
๐Ÿ’กMiddle School Math
Middle School Math typically refers to the mathematical curriculum taught to students in middle school, which often includes foundational concepts such as the Order of Operations. In the video, the speaker mentions that the Order of Operations is usually taught at the middle school level, indicating its importance as a fundamental skill for further mathematical learning.
๐Ÿ’กOnline Math Classes
Online Math Classes are virtual educational courses focused on teaching mathematics, often designed to supplement or enhance the learning experience of students. The video's speaker is the founder of Tablet Class Math and has created numerous online math classes catering to middle and high school levels, emphasizing the accessibility and utility of such resources for students seeking to improve their math skills.
๐Ÿ’กCommon Errors
Common Errors refer to frequently made mistakes in a particular subject or activity. In the context of the video, the speaker identifies and explains typical errors students make when applying the Order of Operations, such as not following the correct sequence (PEMDAS) or mishandling the calculation of powers and the order between multiplication/division and addition/subtraction.
๐Ÿ’กMathematical Expressions
Mathematical Expressions are combinations of numbers, variables, and mathematical operators arranged according to specific rules to represent a calculation or a problem to be solved. In the video, the speaker simplifies a complex mathematical expression using the Order of Operations and PEMDAS, demonstrating step-by-step how to arrive at the correct solution.
Highlights

The importance of understanding the order of operations (OOO) in mathematics is emphasized, as many students struggle with it.

The acronym PEMDAS is introduced as a guide to follow the OOO, with a brief explanation of what each letter represents.

The speaker, John, shares his experience as a math teacher and the founder of Tablet Class Math, offering online math classes.

A practice problem is presented to the audience to test their understanding of the OOO without using a calculator.

The speaker highlights common mistakes students make when dealing with the OOO, such as not following the correct sequence.

The 'P' in PEMDAS stands for parentheses, which should be addressed first in any mathematical expression.

The 'E' in PEMDAS represents exponents or powers, which are to be calculated next after addressing parentheses.

The 'MD' in PEMDAS stands for multiplication and division, which should be performed from left to right as they appear.

The 'AS' in PEMDAS stands for addition and subtraction, which are also done from left to right.

The speaker provides a step-by-step breakdown of how to approach and solve the practice problem using the OOO.

The importance of showing work when solving math problems is emphasized to allow for review and correction of mistakes.

The speaker corrects a common mistake of not performing powers before other operations, using the practice problem as an example.

The video encourages learning from mistakes and emphasizes the need to understand and correct errors made in the OOO.

The speaker shares the top areas where math students make mistakes, with OOO being one of the most common.

The video concludes with advice on how to approach learning the OOO, focusing on taking one step at a time and double-checking work.

Transcripts
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