ACCUPLACER Arithmetic

ACCUPLACER Arithmetic focuses on essential arithmetic skills necessary for success in higher education and various standardized tests.

Whole Numbers and OperationsFractions and DecimalsPercentages
Order of OperationsRatios and ProportionsEstimating and Rounding
Budgeting and Money MathCooking and RecipesShopping and Discounts
Use Scratch Paper for CalculationsCheck Your Reasonableness
Whole Numbers and Op...Fractions and Decima...PercentagesOrder of OperationsRatios and Proportio...Estimating and Round...Budgeting and Money ...Cooking and RecipesShopping and Discoun...Use Scratch Paper fo...Check Your Reasonabl...
Advanced Topics

Order of Operations

Why Order Matters

When a math problem has more than one operation, you need to know which to do first. This is where the order of operations comes in!

The Rules

Follow the steps:

  1. Parentheses
  2. Exponents (not common in ACCUPLACER Arithmetic)
  3. Multiplication and Division (left to right)
  4. Addition and Subtraction (left to right)

The acronym PEMDAS can help you remember: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.

Solving Step by Step

Always work from the inside out and left to right within the same step.

Key Formula

\( a + b \times c = a + (b \times c) \)

Examples

  • \( 4 + 3 \times 2 = 4 + 6 = 10 \)

  • \( (4 + 3) \times 2 = 7 \times 2 = 14 \)

In a Nutshell

Order of operations ensures everyone solves math problems the same way.

Key Terms

PEMDAS
A mnemonic for remembering the order of operations in math.
Parentheses
Symbols ( ) used to group parts of math expressions.
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Ratios and Proportions