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Order of multiplication and division

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 23 of 25 on Mathematics. ACS element AM.I.H.R1 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONIn the order of operations, after parentheses and exponents have been cleared, how are the multiplications and divisions in an equation evaluated?

  1. Aall multiplications first, then all divisions
  2. Bfrom right to left, one operation at a time
  3. Ctogether, from left to right in one step
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. together, from left to right in one step

  • A — incorrect The handbook identifies this two-step approach as a common error, not the correct method.
  • B — incorrect The sweep goes from left to right, not right to left.
  • C — correct Multiplication and division are evaluated from left to right in one sweep; the handbook notes that clearing all multiplications first and then all divisions is a common error.

BACKGROUND

In algebra, universally accepted rules set the order in which operations are evaluated, and the same rules are used when programming equations into calculators. The order is: parentheses (innermost first, with brackets treated the same way), then exponents and roots, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction. Multiplication and division are evaluated from left to right in one step, and addition and subtraction likewise in one left-to-right step. The acronym PEMDAS and the sentence Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally help in remembering the order, but multiply/divide and add/subtract must each be done in one sweep from left to right.

STUDY TIP

Treat PEMDAS as four levels, not six: parentheses, exponents, multiply-and-divide together, add-and-subtract together.

KEY POINTS

  • Order: parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction.
  • Multiply and divide left to right in one step.
  • Add and subtract left to right in one step.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch03 "Order of Operation"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.