Order of Operations with Exponents
Grade 7 students in Big Ideas Math Advanced 2 (Chapter 10: Exponents and Scientific Notation) learn to evaluate expressions with exponents using PEMDAS order of operations. Special attention is required for negative bases: (-a)^n differs from -a^n.
Key Concepts
When evaluating expressions containing exponents, follow the order of operations (PEMDAS): Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
Pay special attention to the difference with negative bases: $( a)^n$ means the base is $ a$ $ a^n$ means the base is $a$, and you take the opposite of the result.
Common Questions
What is the order of operations with exponents in 7th grade?
Follow PEMDAS: Parentheses, then Exponents, then Multiplication and Division left to right, then Addition and Subtraction left to right.
What is the difference between (-3)^2 and -3^2?
(-3)^2 = (-3) x (-3) = 9, because the base is -3. But -3^2 = -(3^2) = -9, because the base is 3 and the negative sign is applied after.
How do you evaluate 3^2 + 4 x 2?
Calculate exponent first: 9 + 4 x 2. Then multiply: 9 + 8 = 17.
What chapter in Big Ideas Math Advanced 2 covers order of operations with exponents?
Chapter 10: Exponents and Scientific Notation in Big Ideas Math Advanced 2 (Grade 7) covers order of operations with exponents.
What does PEMDAS stand for?
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. Multiplication and division have equal priority (left to right), as do addition and subtraction.