Grade 6 · Unit 3Topic 1 of 3~14 min

Exponents & Order of Operations

Powers mean repeated multiplication — and PEMDAS sets the order.

All topics in this unit

Step 1 · Learn

Walkthrough

Read this first — it covers the idea in plain language with a worked example.

What an exponent means

An exponent is a shortcut for repeated multiplication. 4³ means 4 × 4 × 4 = 64. The small number (the exponent) tells you how many times to multiply the base by itself.

Order of operations (PEMDAS)

When an expression has several operations, do them in this order: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right).

Worked example

2 + 3 × (4² − 6)

Parentheses first, and inside them exponents: 4² = 16.
16 − 6 = 10, so the expression is 2 + 3 × 10.
Multiply: 3 × 10 = 30. Then add: 2 + 30 = 32.

Watch out

Multiplication and division are equal in rank — do them left to right, not multiplication first.

Step 2 · Watch

Video walkthrough

Watch the main video, then check the second take if you want another explanation.

Math Antics

Order of Operations

PEMDAS step by step so you always know what to do first.

Watch on YouTube

Math Antics

Exponents

A clear walk-through of repeated multiplication with exponents.

Watch on YouTube

Step 3 · Practice

Practice

Try a worksheet or work through some problems before the quiz.

Math Worksheets 4 Kids

Order of operations

Step 4 · Check

Quick check

A couple of questions to make sure this topic stuck. Retake as many times as you want.

Exponents & Order of Operations

Question 1 of 3

Medium

Evaluate: 2 + 3 × (4² − 6)

Back toUnit 3 overview Next up · Topic 2 of 3Writing Algebraic Expressions