PEMDAS worksheet generator
One rule, two names
Some textbooks and districts say PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide, Add/Subtract); others say GEMDAS (Grouping symbols, Exponents, Multiply/Divide, Add/Subtract). The mathematics is one set of rules:
| Step | PEMDAS says | GEMDAS says | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parentheses | Grouping symbols | Everything inside ( ), [ ] and { } first, innermost first. |
| 2 | Exponents | Exponents | Powers, right after the groups are gone. |
| 3 | Multiply / Divide | Multiply / Divide | Equal priority, worked left to right. |
| 4 | Add / Subtract | Add / Subtract | Equal priority, worked left to right. |
The only real difference is the first letter: G explicitly covers brackets and braces, not just parentheses. For the deeper comparison, see GEMDAS vs PEMDAS.
Worked example, step by step
Evaluate 20 − (4 + 2)^2 ÷ 9:
PEMDAS practice by grade
FAQ
Are PEMDAS and GEMDAS the same thing?
Yes. Both describe the same order of operations. PEMDAS names parentheses first, while GEMDAS names all grouping symbols — parentheses, brackets and braces. The E, the M/D left to right and the A/S left to right are identical, so any PEMDAS worksheet is also a GEMDAS worksheet and vice versa.
Do you have PEMDAS worksheets with exponents?
Yes. From grade 5 upward, sheets include whole-number exponents such as 5^2, (12 - 4)^2 and, on harder settings, cubes. Grades 3-4 sheets leave exponents out because that step has not been taught yet.
Can I get PEMDAS worksheets with negative numbers and decimals?
Yes — choose grade 7 for negative numbers and grade 8 for negatives together with decimals. The same generator makes all of them, always with a printable answer key.
Is the answer key included with every PEMDAS worksheet?
Yes. Each generated sheet has a Print Answer Key button, and the key is produced by the same evaluator that generates the questions, so the two always agree.