BODMAS

By BODMAS (or BIDMAS , or PEDMAS ), we know the order in which we should execute each operation:

1. Brackets
2. Order (powers)
3. Division
4. Multiplication
5. Addition
6. Subtraction

We can add brackets (don't be scared by the different types of brackets — (), [], {} — they can be used interchangeably in this case) to our original equation to make it easier to see when each operation should be applied: $x = [(4-7)+({[2^2] \div 3} \times 6)]$ .

So, we should: first equate the brackets at the front (4-7), to give us -3; $x = [(-3)+({[2^2] \div 3} \times 6)]$ we then raise 2 to the power of 2, to give us 4; $x = [(-3)+({[4] \div 3} \times 6)]$ then divide that by 3, to give us 4/3; $x = [(-3)+({\frac{4}{3}} \times 6)]$ then times that by 6 to give us 8; $x = [(-3)+(8)]$ then add -3 and 8 to give us: $x = 5$ .

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (PEMDAS)