Step by step
The question
Question: work out 4 + 12 ÷ 4 − 1.
4 + 12 ÷ 4 − 1
1 Times and divide
Dividing comes before plus and minus.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
12 divided by 4 is 3.
= 4 + 3 − 1
2 Plus and minus
Plus and minus: we go from left to right.
same kind: left → right
4 plus 3 is 7.
= 7 − 1
7 minus 1 is 6.
= 6
Careful!
Many people go from left to right and get 3.
But times and divide come before plus and minus.
Careful: not 4 + 12 ÷ 4 − 1 = 3 ✗
So the answer is 6.
Let's look back.
First: times and divide.
Last: plus and minus.
Answer
= 6