SOLUTION: What are the steps of the order of operations, and why is it important to follow the steps rather than solve the problem from left to right?

Question 248300: What are the steps of the order of operations, and why is it important to follow the steps rather than solve the problem from left to right?
Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Rule 1: First perform any calculations inside parentheses.
Rule 2: Next perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left to right.
Rule 3: Lastly, perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to right.
If a problem includes a fraction bar, perform all calculations above and below the fraction bar before dividing the numerator by the denominator.
http://www.mathgoodies.com/Lessons/vol7/order_operations.html
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