Key Concepts

• Real numbers

The Order of Operations

• Perform all operations within grouping symbols first. Grouping symbols include parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], braces { }, and fraction bars.
• Evaluate exponents or square roots.
• Multiply or divide, from left to right.
• Add or subtract, from left to right.

This order of operations is true for all real numbers.

Glossary:

Irrational number

A number that cannot be written as the ratio of two integers. Its decimal form does not stop and does not repeat.

Rational number

A number that can be written in the form [latex]{\Large\frac{p}{q}}[/latex] , where p and q are integers and [latex]q\ne 0[/latex] . Its decimal form stops or repeats.

Real number:

A number that is either rational or irrational.