I still remember sitting in math class staring at the board while everyone else seemed to solve the equation instantly. The teacher wrote a long problem with brackets, multiplication, subtraction, and division, then casually said, “Just use PEMDAS.” But a few minutes later, one of my classmates confidently said it was actually PEDMAS. That completely threw me off.
I went home more confused than ever. I searched online, checked old notes, and even asked friends. Some people swore by PEMDAS, while others insisted PEDMAS was correct. At one point, I honestly thought schools in different countries used totally different math rules.
What made things worse was that both acronyms looked almost identical. Only two letters were switched, but somehow that tiny change completely changed the order I solved equations. And in math, one wrong step means the whole answer becomes wrong.
If you’ve ever stopped in the middle of a math problem wondering whether to follow PEDMAS or PEMDAS, you’re definitely not alone. Thousands of students struggle with this exact confusion every year.
The good news is that the difference is much simpler than it seems. In this guide, I’ll explain the real meaning behind PEDMAS and PEMDAS, show which version is correct, and share the easy trick that finally helped me solve equations without second-guessing myself.
⚡ PEDMAS or PEMDAS – Quick Answer
Both PEDMAS and PEMDAS describe the order of operations in math.
However, PEMDAS is the more common version used in the United States.
It stands for:
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication
- Division
- Addition
- Subtraction
Example:
8+2×58+2\times58+2×5
Using PEMDAS:
- Multiply first: 2 × 5 = 10
- Then add: 8 + 10 = 18
Correct answer: 18
🤔 Why Do People Confuse PEDMAS or PEMDAS?
The confusion happens because both acronyms teach the exact same math rule.
The only difference is the position of:
- Division and multiplication
- Addition and subtraction
Some schools teach:
- PEMDAS
Others teach:
- PEDMAS
But mathematically, both methods work because multiplication and division are solved from left to right. The same rule applies to addition and subtraction.
Here’s why students get confused:
- Similar-looking acronyms
- Different school systems
- Viral math debates online
- Teachers using different memory tricks
- Lack of explanation about left-to-right solving
Many students mistakenly think multiplication always comes before division. That is not true. You solve whichever appears first from left to right.
📜 The Origin of PEMDAS and PEDMAS
The order of operations has existed in mathematics for centuries. Mathematicians needed a universal system so everyone would solve equations the same way.
Over time, teachers created memory tricks to help students remember the sequence.
PEMDAS
PEMDAS became extremely popular in American schools.
A common phrase used to remember it is:
“Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.”
PEDMAS
PEDMAS is simply another variation used in some classrooms and countries.
Both acronyms teach:
- Brackets first
- Exponents second
- Multiplication/division together
- Addition/subtraction together
So the math itself never changes.
🌍 British vs American English
Different countries often use different acronyms for order of operations.
| Version | Region | Meaning |
| PEMDAS | USA | Order of operations |
| PEDMAS | Some schools worldwide | Same order of operations |
| BODMAS | UK, Australia, Canada | Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction |
Important Note:
Even though the acronyms look different, the math rules are basically the same.
For example:
20÷4×220\div4\times220÷4×2
Solve left to right:
- 20 ÷ 4 = 5
- 5 × 2 = 10
Correct answer: 10
Not 2.5.
🎯 Which One Should You Use?
The best version depends on your school, teacher, or audience.
Use PEMDAS If:
- You study in the USA
- You write American educational content
- Your teacher specifically uses PEMDAS
Use PEDMAS If:
- Your classroom teaches it
- Your school prefers that order
- You are following a specific curriculum
Best Choice by Audience:
| Audience | Recommended Version |
| USA students | PEMDAS |
| UK students | BODMAS |
| Canadian students | Often BODMAS |
| Global online audience | PEMDAS or explain both |
Blogging & SEO Tip
If you create educational blog content for US readers, PEMDAS is usually the strongest keyword because Americans search it more often online.
❌ Common Mistakes (Avoid These!)
Many students misunderstand the order of operations.
Here are common mistakes:
| Wrong Idea | Correct Rule |
| Multiplication always comes before division ❌ | Solve left to right ✅ |
| Addition always comes before subtraction ❌ | Solve left to right ✅ |
| PEDMAS changes math rules ❌ | Same rules apply ✅ |
| PEMDAS and BODMAS are different systems ❌ | Mostly same concept ✅ |
Example Mistake
Problem:
12−4+212-4+212−4+2
Correct solution:
- 12 – 4 = 8
- 8 + 2 = 10
Wrong answer:
- 6 ❌
Because addition does not automatically happen before subtraction.
📝 Real Life Examples
Order of operations appears in daily life more often than people realize.
School Homework
- Students use PEMDAS to solve equations correctly.
Social Media
- Viral math puzzles often test order of operations knowledge.
News
- Educational experts debate better ways to teach PEMDAS.
Formal Writing
- Math textbooks explain equations using order of operations rules.
Example:
3+6÷23+6\div23+6÷2
Correct answer:
- 6 ÷ 2 = 3
- 3 + 3 = 6
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Acronym | Meaning | Common Region | Purpose |
| PEMDAS | Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction | USA | Order of operations |
| PEDMAS | Parentheses, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction | Some schools worldwide | Same math rules |
| BODMAS | Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction | UK & Commonwealth countries | Same concept |
FAQs❓
Q. Is PEDMAS correct?
Yes. Some schools teach PEDMAS instead of PEMDAS.
Q. Which is more common: PEDMAS or PEMDAS?
PEMDAS is more common in the United States.
Q. Is PEMDAS the same as BODMAS?
Yes, mostly. They both teach order of operations.
Q. Does multiplication always come before division?
No. Solve multiplication and division from left to right.
Q. Why do math teachers use PEMDAS?
It helps students remember the order of operations.
Q. What does PEMDAS stand for?
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
Q. Is PEDMAS wrong?
No. It simply rearranges multiplication and division.
Q. Why do online math problems confuse people?
Many people forget the left to right rule.
Conclusion 🎯
The debate between PEDMAS and PEMDAS sounds confusing at first, but the truth is surprisingly simple. Both acronyms teach the same core math principle: the order of operations.
I used to think changing two letters completely changed the rules of math. But once I learned that multiplication and division are solved from left to right just like addition and subtraction everything finally made sense.
That tiny detail completely changed the way I solved equations.
Whether your school teaches PEMDAS, PEDMAS, or even BODMAS, the important thing is understanding the actual rule behind the acronym.
Here’s the easiest way to remember it:
✅ Parentheses first
✅ Exponents second
✅ Multiply/divide left to right
✅ Add/subtract left to right
Once you follow that pattern, solving math problems becomes much easier and far less stressful.
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I’m Dan Brown, an author behind GrammarGuides.com, where I share simple tips to help people write English clearly and correctly. As a grammar expert, I enjoy explaining tricky words, spelling differences, and common language mistakes in an easy way.
