PEMDAS Worksheets

PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. These sheets include parentheses in every expression, which is the P the mnemonic leads with.

The mnemonic gets two things wrong, and they are worth saying out loud. Multiplication and division are not "multiplication first" - they are equal, and you do them left to right. Addition and subtraction are the same: equal, left to right. PEMDAS makes it look like six steps; it is really four, and two of them are "whichever comes first".

Set Expressions to With exponents for the full PEMDAS including a squared or cubed term, or lower for the versions without brackets.

Frequently asked questions

What does PEMDAS stand for?

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. Some people learn it as "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally".

Is it multiplication before division?

No. Multiplication and division have equal priority and are done left to right. 8 / 2 x 4 is 16, not 1 - you divide first here only because it comes first.

Is PEMDAS the same as BODMAS?

Same rules, different letters. BODMAS is Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction - and it has the same trap, since division is not really before multiplication.

Do these worksheets have parentheses?

Yes, every expression on this page has a set of parentheses. Change the level under Expressions to add exponents or to drop the brackets.