Scientific Calculator · Practical guide
Order of Operations Calculator With Parentheses
This calculator evaluates the whole expression at once using PEMDAS — 3+4*2 is 11, not 14, and parentheses let you override the default.
At a glance
The Short Answer
Yes — this calculator follows the standard order of operations. Because it reads your entire entry before evaluating, 3 + 4 × 2 correctly returns 11.000000 (multiplication first), while (3 + 4) × 2 returns 14.000000 (parentheses first). A basic four-function calculator would give 14 for the first entry, because it applies each operation the moment you press it.
Interactive tool
Scientific Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
History
PEMDAS: The Order Every Expression Follows
- P — Parentheses first, innermost outward
- E — Exponents: powers and roots
- MD — Multiplication and Division, left to right
- AS — Addition and Subtraction, left to right
Examples That Separate the Two Styles
| You Type | Displayed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3+4*2 | 11.000000 | multiplication before addition |
| (3+4)*2 | 14.000000 | parentheses force the addition first |
| 2+3^2 | 11.000000 | exponent before addition |
| (2+3)^2 | 25.000000 | 5 squared, not 2 + 9 |
| 20-6/2 | 17.000000 | division before subtraction |
When in Doubt, Add Parentheses
Parentheses are never wrong — only sometimes unnecessary. Nesting works to any depth: ((2+3)*(4+1))^2 evaluates the inner sums first, then multiplies to 25, then squares to 625.000000. If a long expression gives a surprising result, break it into steps with parentheses or evaluate the pieces separately and chain them with the Ans key, which recalls the last result at full precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a basic calculator give a different answer for 3+4×2?
Basic calculators evaluate each operation as soon as you press the next key, so they compute 3+4 first and return 14. A scientific calculator reads the whole expression and applies multiplication first, returning 11.
Do multiplication and division have the same priority?
Yes. They are processed left to right at equal rank, as are addition and subtraction. So 12/4*3 evaluates as (12/4)*3 = 9.
Can I nest parentheses inside parentheses?
Yes. The calculator resolves the innermost pair first and works outward, so expressions like (2*(3+4)) return 14.
How do I check a homework answer with this?
Type the expression exactly as written, parentheses included, and press =. Compare against your hand-solved result; if they differ, re-derive step by step using the PEMDAS order.