Order of Operations

In mathematics and computer sciences, the Order of Operations is a collection of rules to define which procedures to perform first in order to evaluate a given mathematical expression.

In mathematics and most computer languages, multiplication precedes addition. For example, using the formula $$PEMDAS$$ the expression $$2+3(4)$$ the awnser would be 14, not 20 because multiplication precedes addition.

When Exponents were introduced in the 16th-17th Century, Exponents took precedence over addition and multiplication. For example, $$4+5^3=129$$ because exponents take precedence over addition in this expression. To change the Order of Operations, Parentheses/Brackets must be used.