the order of operations is a mathematical and algebraic set of rules. it is used to evaluate (solve) and simplify expressions and equations. the order of operations is the order that different mathematical operations are done. the standard mathematical operations are addition (+), subtraction (−), multiplication (* or ×), division (/), brackets (grouping symbols used to indicate order of operations like (), [] and {}) and exponentiation (^n or n, also called orders or indices).