Step by step
The question
Question: work out 16 − 8 ÷ 2 + 1.
16 − 8 ÷ 2 + 1
1 Times and divide
Dividing comes before minus and plus.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
8 divided by 2 is 4.
= 16 − 4 + 1
2 Plus and minus
Plus and minus: we go from left to right.
same kind: left → right
16 minus 4 is 12.
= 12 + 1
12 plus 1 is 13.
= 13
Careful!
Many people go from left to right and get 5.
But times and divide come before plus and minus.
Careful: not 16 − 8 ÷ 2 + 1 = 5 ✗
So the answer is 13.
Let's look back.
First: times and divide.
Last: plus and minus.
Answer
= 13