Which acronym represents the order of operations in mathematics?

The acronym that accurately represents the order of operations in mathematics is often presented as PEMDAS or BIDMAS, along with variations like BEDMAS, which denote the same mathematical principles but use different terms for certain operations. Each of these acronyms stands for a sequence of operations:

• P or B stands for Parentheses or Brackets, indicating that operations in brackets should be solved first.

• E or D denotes Exponents or Orders, referring to the calculation of powers or roots that come next.

• MD or DM signifies Multiplication and Division, which are performed from left to right as they appear in the expression.

• AS or AS references Addition and Subtraction, also completed from left to right.

While BIDMAS is a variation where 'I' indicates "Indices" (again referring to exponents), it is not the most universally recognized acronym compared to PEMDAS. The other choices like FOIL are unrelated to the order of operations; instead, FOIL specifically refers to a method for multiplying two binomials. Thus, the importance of understanding these acronyms lies in following the correct order when solving mathematical expressions, and while BIDMAS is correct in certain contexts, PEMDAS is more widely recognized in educational materials.