Order of Operations - Arithmetic Step by Step

Evaluate 2 + 3 × 4 by following PEMDAS: multiply first (3 × 4 = 12), then add (2 + 12 = 14). The answer is 14, not 20.

Example

pemdas-basic.math

2 + 3 x 4

step: multiply first: 3 x 4 = 12
step: then add: 2 + 12 = 14
step: answer: 14

pemdas-basic When an expression has both addition and multiplication, multiply before you add. The acronym PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right).