Always follow the following order to simplify a equation.
B - Brackets, do all the maths contained in brackets first
O - Orders, square roots, powers and anything else not listed below are all done next
D - Division, do your divisions now
M - Multiplication
A - Addition
S - Subtraction
This is an order of mathemetical standard.
Example:
(8-4)+2*4^2
Brackets 1st:
8-4=4, so we now have
4+2*4^2
Order (the square):
square of 4 is 16, giving
4+2*16
Multiply comes before add so we have:
4+32
Finally our addition and answer is
36
