Order of Operations – Standard

Lyrics

VERSE I
So if you're gonna learn some PEMDAS, we'll start off slow
let's start with an easy one, you already know
what's three plus two plus five minus nine
just go from left to right and I swear you'll be fine
three and two is five, five and five is ten
ten minus nine is one, you're done my friend

But now I'm gonna throw in just a tiny little wrinkle
so if you PEMDAS brain can start to think well
what's three plus two plus five times four
you gotta multiply first if you wanna raise ya score
five times four is twenty, three plus two is five
five and twenty is twentyfive, you took a PEM-DAS on a test drive

CHORUS
P-E-M-D-A-S, the triple ‘o’, the order of operations
PEM-DAS the way I flow
P! parentheses by day
E! exponents at night, then
M! multiply
D! divide from left to right
A! add
S! subtract a piece of cake, but that's the final step you take

VERSE II
Turning from arithmetic into the algebraic section
you gotta do PEMDAS in the opposite direction
still gotta know the order of operations
try to solve for x in this here algebra equation:

two x to the third plus six equals twenty two
reverse PEMDAS, you know what you gotta do
deal with addition first, you’re a machine
take six from both sides, two x cubed is sixteen

division comes next, we keep clearing the slate
divide both sides by two, and x cubed equals eight
and then you guessed it, we’re doing exponents last
take the cube root of both sides, x is two, PEMDAS

CHORUS
P-E-M-D-A-S the triple ‘o’, the order of operations
PEM-DAS the way I flow
P! parentheses by day
E! exponents at night, then
M! multiply
D! divide from left to right
A! add
S! subtract a piece of cake, but that's the final step you take

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Description

Available in two versions, this song for teaching order of operations in math introduces basic information about PEMDAS. The lyrics contain detailed information about Order of Operations problems and how to apply its principles in problem solving. In the first version, simple PEMDAS problems and equations using numbers and symbols are used to illustrate important mathematics concepts. In the advanced version, exponents are introduced as well as algebraic equations. The accompanying classroom materials include puzzles, order of operations printable worksheets, activities, and online resources that enhance the song and offer additional opportunities for learning.

The beginner version of the song is suitable for upper elementary students learning steps and strategies for the Order of Operations (grade 5, grade 6) while the more advanced version is more appropriate for middle school students and high school students learning algebra (grade 7, grade 8, grade 9, and grade 10).

This song is an excellent Order of Operations activity for the review of PEMDAS.

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Related Reading and Activities

READINGS

Order of Operations Article
An excellent article to read for older students and teachers.

Mathblag.Order of Operations Misconceptions
This article on Mathblag is well worth reading in preparation for teaching the order of operations.

RESOURCES and ACTIVITIES

Math-aids.Order of Operations
Order of Operations worksheets for younger students or introductory classes
Grades 4-5

Math is Fun.
This site walks students through the order of operations using PEMDAS, and includes sample problems for review and practice. A great site for younger students
Grades 5-7

Math.com.Lessons
This site offers an opportunity to have a problem explained in detail and then allows students to participate in interactive problem solving. Excellent for review or individual study.
Grades 5-9

Math Goodies
This site provides a straightforward explanation of the order of operations, clearly explaining the “do’s” and “don’ts” of solving math problems with the correct order of operations. It features a set of completed example problems, and practice problems for students to solve on their own. Lots of levels of problem solving.
Grades 5-8

Amby.com. Tutorial
This is a tutorial that provides opportunity for practicing order of operations through interactive problems.
Grades 5-8

Nat. Council of Teachers of Math
The NCTM site is a lesson plan designed around teaching, and playing, Order of Operations Bingo. Students use their understanding of operations to solve problems within the context of this familiar game.
Grades 6-8

Sparknotes
This site illustrates how to solve algebraic equations. Too much advertising to use in class, however, you can copy and paste the examples.
Grades 7-10

Purplemath
This is a great site for teachers or beginning algebra students. Long and detailed with multiple examples.
Grades 7-11

Internet4classrooms.6th Grade
This game site has games, etc. for all levels. Some games require flash or power point, but many are accessible. They vary in degree of difficulty. Some will take you to other excellent sites.
Grades 5-9

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State Standards

State standards listed here are representative of school standards across the United States.

CALIFORNIA

Grade 6

Algebra and Functions
1.3 Apply algebraic order of operations and the commutative, associative, and distributive properties to evaluate expressions; and justify each step in the process.
1.4 Solve problems manually by using the correct order of operations or by using a scientific calculator.

Grade 7

Algebra and Functions
1.0 Students express quantitative relationships by using algebraic terminology, expressions, equations, inequalities and graphs:
1.2 Use the correct order of operations to evaluate algebraic such as 3(2x + 5)2.

FLORIDA

Grade 7
MA.A.3.3.2.4: applies order of operations to solve problems (parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction).

ILLINOIS

Grade 7
6B 6C Computation, Operations, Estimation, and Properties
6.7.09 Identify and apply order of operations to simplify numeric expressions involving whole numbers (including exponents), fractions, and decimals.

Grade 8
6-8.8.A.3a Apply the basic properties of commutative, associative, distributive, transitive, inverse, identity, zero, equality and order of operations to solve problems.

MASSACHUSETTS

Grades 5
5.N.10 Demonstrate an understanding of how parentheses affect expressions involving addition, subtraction, and multiplication and use the understanding to solve problems, eg., 3 x (4 +2)= 3 x 6.

Grade 6
6.N.11 Apply the Order of Operations for expressions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with grouping symbols (+, -, x, ÷).

Grade 7
7.N.5 Apply the rules of positive integer exponents to the solution of the problems. Extend the Order of Operations to include positive integer exponents.

NEW YORK

Grade 5

Content Strand: Algebra

Band: Students will perform algebraic procedures accurately.

Performance Indicator: 5.A.3 Substitute assigned values into variable expressions and evaluate using order of operations

Students will understand: Variable expressions represent the relationship among quantities. The value of the expression varies as the value substituted for the variable changes. Order of operations must be followed to correctly simplify expressions.

Students will be able to: Replace the variable in an expression with a given value. Follow the standard order of operations when evaluating mathematical expressions.

TEXAS

Grade 6
TX.111.22

(6.2) Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides to solve problems and justify solutions.

(6.2) (E) The student is expected to use order of operations to simplify whole number expressions (without exponents) in problem solving situations.

Grade 7
TX.111.23

(7.2) Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides to solve problems and justify solutions.

(7.2) (E) The student will simplify numerical expressions involving order of operations and exponents.

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