Mastering Order of Operations: The GMDAS Rule Explained

Sheena Doria

This educational video provides a clear and structured guide to mastering the Order of Operations in mathematics, specifically utilizing the PMDAS and GMDAS rules. Through a series of step-by-step examples, the narrator demonstrates how to approach complex numerical expressions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and grouping symbols. The video features a virtual teacher who breaks down each problem, highlighting the specific operations being performed in real-time to aid visual tracking and conceptual understanding. The content specifically addresses the common confusion regarding the hierarchy of operations, clarifying that multiplication and division hold equal priority, as do addition and subtraction, and must be solved from left to right. By introducing the acronym GMDAS (Grouping symbols, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction), the video expands student understanding beyond just parentheses to include brackets and braces, providing a more robust framework for algebra readiness. Teachers can utilize this video to introduce or review the Order of Operations for upper elementary and middle school students. The clear visual cues—such as yellow highlighting boxes around the current operation—make it an excellent resource for visual learners. The inclusion of a "Try this!" challenge at the end offers an immediate formative assessment opportunity, allowing educators to gauge student retention of the concepts immediately following the instruction.