The order of operations in which one is to interpret a mathematical expression such as 23 X 5 is a convention. In math order of operations are the rules that state the sequence in which the multiple operations in an expression should be solved. If grouping symbols are used such as parentheses perform the operations inside the grouping symbols first.
7 6 52 3 cos 1223.
First we solve any operations inside of parentheses or brackets. We need a set of rules in order to avoid this kind of confusion. When doing computations always follow the order of operations and always perform the operations according to the following rule. There can be more than one way to find a solution.