How to Learn the Order of Operations
When a calculation has several steps, the order you do them in changes the answer — so math has a fixed rule: PEMDAS (or BODMAS). Learn it and multi-step problems become reliable. This deck drills the rule and the traps.
There are 10 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the order of operations is hard to memorize (and the fix)
The classic mistake is treating multiplication and division (or addition and subtraction) as strictly ordered — they are actually equal rank, done left to right. That subtlety trips almost everyone.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the order of operations
- Break it into small batches. Learn the acronym first, then practise the two "equal rank, left to right" pairs that cause errors.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. Multiply and Divide are equal — do them left to right. Same for Add and Subtract. That is the part people get wrong.
The full deck: the Order of Operations
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does PEMDAS stand for? | Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction |
| What does BODMAS stand for? | Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction |
| What is done first in the order of operations? | Parentheses / brackets |
| Which comes first, multiplication or division? | Neither — they are equal rank, done left to right |
| What is 2 + 3 × 4? | 14 (multiply first: 3×4 = 12, then +2) |
| What is (2 + 3) × 4? | 20 (brackets first: 2+3 = 5, then ×4) |
| What is 8 ÷ 2 × 2? | 8 (left to right: 8÷2 = 4, then ×2) |
| What is 10 - 3 + 2? | 9 (left to right: 10-3 = 7, then +2) |
| What is 2 + 4 × 3²? | 38 (exponent: 9; ×4 = 36; +2 = 38) |
| Are addition and subtraction equal rank? | Yes — do them left to right |
Save this deck and actually remember it
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Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the order of operations
How long does it take to learn the order of operations?
Most people can lock in the order of operations within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–10 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the order of operations?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 10 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.