BEDMAS

For example, in the equation:
2x(2+4)
you have to solve the equation
inside the brackets before doing
the multiplication.

If you're solving an equation with
square roots, and there is an
equation within the square root sign,
you have to treat it like a bracket.
For example:
Square Root of 3+2 would actually
be the Square Root of 5, because
you're solving 3+2 before solving
the square root.

Next comes Exponents and Square
Roots. In lower grades, we learn that
the E in BEDMAS stands for Exponents.
In 8th grade, the E stands for Exponents
AND Square Roots. Since in 8th grade
we have to solve equations with both
exponents and square roots, it's
important to know that they should be
done together.

Here's an example:
3^2+4=13

Lastly, you have to do the Addition and
the Subtraction. Just like Multiplication
and Division, it doesn't matter what
you do then in. as long as you solve
from left to right.

For example:
7+9-5= 11

The next steps are Multiplication and
Division. Until 6th or 7th grade you
were probably taught to Division and
then Multiplication because in
BEDMAS, the D comes before the
M. In reality, it doesn't actually
matter which one you do first. As long
as you solve the multiplication and
division from left to right, it doesn't
change your answer.

For example:
3x2+6/3 will always equal 8.

It doesn't matter if you do
division first:
3x2+6/3
=3x2+2
=6+2
=8
Or if you do multiplication
first:
3x2+6/3
=6+6/3
=6+2
=8