order of operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "order of operation" is not correct; it should be "order of operations." You can use it in mathematical contexts to refer to the rules that dictate the sequence in which operations should be performed in calculations.
Example: "To solve the equation correctly, remember to follow the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

When solving exponential equations, just like when solving linear equations, you need to mind the order of operation or operator precedence.

WikiHow

Based on Mori Tanaka method, an equivalent elastic model is developed first to predict the elastic properties of multi-ribbed walls and overcomes non-physical order of operation dependencies the other two methods face.

Engineering Structures

Once we had control, our first order of operation was to maintain access.

Forbes

The next order of operation was to deploy our suite of tools on the compromised system and to begin scoping out the internal network.

Forbes

Fashion designers and product developers will be expected to adapt to the change in the order of operation in developing various garment structures.

Fashion and Textiles

As the trends in scoring and measurements are similar for both groups A and B, we considered that the order of operation did not affect the results.

ROBOMECH Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The compiler sequences the calculations based on the dependencies of the variables to be computed, thus eliminating order-of-operations errors that are possible in procedural languages.

F1000Research

There is a clear order of operations.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm vague on the order of operations.

The New Yorker

Arithmetic, including order of operations – with a calculator!

The Washington Post

Given the relative strengths of the two submersibles, our Hydrate Ridge order of operations was ideal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the mathematical rule, use the plural form "order of operations" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common error

The most common mistake is using the singular "operation" instead of the plural "operations" when discussing the mathematical concept. Always use "order of operations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order of operation" functions as a noun phrase that, while technically incorrect (as per Ludwig AI), aims to describe a sequence or priority in performing tasks or calculations. The single example from Ludwig shows usage in mathematical context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "order of operation" is found in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect, recommending "order of operations" instead, particularly when discussing mathematical concepts. The phrase's purpose is to instruct or inform about sequencing or prioritizing tasks. Although used across different registers, it is best practice to reserve it to more informal communications and always prefer "order of operations" for formal writing. When accuracy is paramount, especially in mathematical or technical contexts, adhering to the grammatically correct plural form is crucial. Related terms such as "sequence of operations" or "priority of operations" can serve as contextual alternatives in some scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sequence of operations

This alternative focuses on the sequential nature of the actions, maintaining a similar meaning to the original phrase.

order of actions

This alternative replaces "operation" with "actions", broadening the context to include non-mathematical processes.

priority of operations

This alternative highlights the prioritization aspect, emphasizing which operations are more important.

steps to be followed

This phrase describes a set of instructions or actions that need to be followed.

method of procedure

Suggests a formal or established way of performing operations.

operational sequence

Inverts the structure and modifies the adjective to describe the sequential nature of the activity.

execution protocol

Implies a strict and predefined manner of carrying out operations.

systematic approach

Focuses on the methodical and organized nature of the operations.

tactical plan

This shifts the focus to a planned set of operations, implying a strategic goal.

defined procedure

Indicates an action to be executed following an official process, or a more formal set of actions.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "order of operation"?

The correct way to refer to the mathematical concept is to use the plural form: "order of operations".

Is "order of operation" grammatically correct?

No, "order of operation" is not grammatically correct when referring to the mathematical principle. The correct term is "order of operations".

How does the "order of operations" work in math?

The "order of operations" dictates the sequence in which calculations should be performed in a mathematical expression (PEMDAS/BODMAS).

What can I say instead of "order of operation"?

While "order of operation" is technically incorrect, if you intend to convey a similar general idea, consider using terms like "sequence of operations" or "priority of operations", although it depends on the specific context.