Solve 2^4 - 4:2^2: Order of Operations with Exponents

Q: Why do exponents come before division in BIDMAS?

BIDMAS/BODMAS tells us the order: Brackets, Indices (exponents), Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction. Exponents have higher priority than division, so we must calculate $ 2^4 $ and $ 2^2 $ first!

Q: What does the colon (:) symbol mean in math?

The colon (:) means division, just like the ÷ symbol. So $ 4:2^2 $ means $ 4 ÷ 2^2 $ or $ 4 ÷ 4 = 1 $.

Q: Can I work from left to right instead?

No! Math has a specific order of operations that you must follow. Working left to right without considering BIDMAS will give you wrong answers. Always follow the proper order!

Q: What if I calculated the exponents wrong?

Double-check your exponent calculations: $ 2^4 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16 $ and $ 2^2 = 2 × 2 = 4 $. Write out the multiplication if you're unsure!

Q: How do I remember BIDMAS order?

Try the memory trick: "Big Elephants Destroy Many Ant Settlements" for Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. Practice with simple problems until it becomes automatic!

Exponent Calculations with Division Operations

Solve the following question:

$2^4-4:2^2=$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve the following expression

00:04 Calculate the exponents

00:17 Always solve multiplication and division before addition and subtraction

00:21 This is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Solve the following question:

$2^4-4:2^2=$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the expression $2^4-4:2^2$ , we must follow the order of operations, also known as BIDMAS/BODMAS (Brackets, Indices/Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction).

$1.$ Start with calculating the powers (indices) in the expression:

$2^4 = 16$
$2^2 = 4$

$2.$ Substitute these values back into the expression:

$16 - 4 : 4$

$3.$ Next, perform the division:

$4 : 4 = 1$

$4.$ Substitute back again and perform the final subtraction:

$16 - 1 = 15$

Therefore, the solution to the expression $2^4-4:2^2$ is $15$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Order: Calculate all exponents first, then division, then subtraction
Technique: $2^4 = 16$ and $2^2 = 4$ , then $4 : 4 = 1$
Check: Substitute back: $16 - 1 = 15$ matches our answer ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Performing operations left to right without following order
Don't solve $2^4 - 4 : 2^2$ as $16 - 4 = 12$ then $12 : 4 = 3$ = wrong answer 3! This ignores the order of operations and treats division as happening after subtraction. Always calculate exponents first, then division, then subtraction.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ 100+5-100+5 $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do exponents come before division in BIDMAS?

BIDMAS/BODMAS tells us the order: Brackets, Indices (exponents), Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction. Exponents have higher priority than division, so we must calculate $2^4$ and $2^2$ first!

What does the colon (:) symbol mean in math?

The colon (:) means division, just like the ÷ symbol. So $4:2^2$ means $4 ÷ 2^2$ or $4 ÷ 4 = 1$ .

Can I work from left to right instead?

No! Math has a specific order of operations that you must follow. Working left to right without considering BIDMAS will give you wrong answers. Always follow the proper order!

What if I calculated the exponents wrong?

Double-check your exponent calculations: $2^4 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16$ and $2^2 = 2 × 2 = 4$ . Write out the multiplication if you're unsure!

How do I remember BIDMAS order?

Try the memory trick: "Big Elephants Destroy Many Ant Settlements" for Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. Practice with simple problems until it becomes automatic!

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Solve 2^4 - 4:2^2: Order of Operations with Exponents

Exponent Calculations with Division Operations

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

Step-by-step video solution

Step-by-step written solution

Understand the problem

Step-by-step solution

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Common Mistakes

Practice Quiz

FAQ

Why do exponents come before division in BIDMAS?

What does the colon (:) symbol mean in math?

Can I work from left to right instead?

What if I calculated the exponents wrong?

How do I remember BIDMAS order?

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

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