Mixed Operations with Fractions

Fraction expressions mixing multiplication and division in with addition and subtraction are worked in a settled order, as Calculation. Work opens from expressions without parentheses, moves to expressions gathering what is inside the parentheses first, and goes on to expressions holding three multiplications and divisions one after another, and all of them leave the intermediate stages joined by equals signs.

In an expression with parentheses, whether the figure outside is joined by a multiplication or a division, what gets cleared first is what stands inside. Calculate the outside figure against each of the two inside terms and a division expression throws the answer far out. An expression worked correctly turns only the inside into a single fraction at the first stage, with the outside figure and its sign left as they were.

In Mixed Operations with Fractions and Decimals some of the figures standing in an expression become decimals. Settling the order itself keeps the shape decided in this lesson.