# Dear Aunt Sally — PEMDAS Tutor

> Educational app for learning and practicing the order of operations (PEMDAS). (iPhone/iPad app by Neil Rohan.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dear-aunt-sally/id1577087345 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Neil Rohan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1522614743)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-07-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-08
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dear-aunt-sally/id1577087345/reviews.md

## What is Dear Aunt Sally?

PEMDAS is an acronym that is taught in school classrooms across the nation. It helps students remember the priority, or Order of Operations, used to solve expressions involving strings of numbers and operators. It stands for:



P(arenthesis)
E(xponent)
M(ultiplication)
D(ivision)
A(ddition)
S(ubtraction)



A familiar mnemonic widely used in place of PEMDAS is: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. Thus the name of this application... Kind of an inside joke for the mathematical types.



Computers, including smart phone calculators, desktops, etc. have built in functionality to properly interpret such expressions so we don't have to. But have you ever wondered what algorithms the CPU executes to get the right answer every time? This app demonstrates one such algorithm called the Shunt Yard, developed a few years back by Professor Edsger W. Dijkstra.



We’re going to take a closer look under the hood at Order of Operations algorithms. It will interest programmers and school students alike; for programmers, the use of queues and stacks will reinforce previous computer science learning; for students, it allows them to write an expression, then analyze it using Order of Operations rules, step by step. The Quiz mode generates random expressions of user selected lengths and magnitudes and checks the student's answer. Incorrect answers can be examined using the same step by step process.

In the SOLVE mode, algebraic expressions are entered free hand using an internal keyboard which limits entries to the five common mathematical operators (+ - / * ^) as well as one level of parenthesis. There is a maximum term limit of ten variables, but no limit to their magnitude in this mode. 

In the QUIZ mode, between two and ten variables can be selected, their maximum value and which operators that are eligible. The program then randomly generates an algebraic expression using these parameters.

Both modes make available an analysis page which is used to step through the solution. Stack/Queue dynamics are displayed.

## Key features

- Step-by-step expression analysis
- Shunt Yard algorithm explanation
- SOLVE mode for freehand entry
- QUIZ mode with random expression generation
- Stack/Queue dynamics visualization
- Customizable quiz parameters

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dear-aunt-sally/id1577087345/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Neat!

*2024-01-15*

I100%

## Frequently asked questions about Dear Aunt Sally

### How does Dear Aunt Sally teach PEMDAS?

Dear Aunt Sally provides a step-by-step analysis of how mathematical expressions are solved using the order of operations. It visualizes the dynamics of stacks and queues used in algorithms like the Shunt Yard.

### What are the different modes in Dear Aunt Sally?

The app features a SOLVE mode for entering expressions freely and a QUIZ mode that generates random expressions for practice. Both modes offer detailed analysis of the solution process.

### Can I customize the quizzes in Dear Aunt Sally?

Yes, in QUIZ mode, you can select the number of variables, their maximum value, and the eligible operators. This allows for tailored practice sessions based on your learning needs.

### Is Dear Aunt Sally suitable for programmers?

Yes, the app is designed to interest programmers by demonstrating algorithms like the Shunt Yard and reinforcing concepts of queues and stacks in computer science.

### What is the age rating for Dear Aunt Sally?

Dear Aunt Sally has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including young students learning basic math principles.

### How often is Dear Aunt Sally updated?

The app was last updated on May 1, 2024, indicating ongoing support and potential for future improvements and feature additions.

### What devices does Dear Aunt Sally support?

Dear Aunt Sally is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, offering a consistent learning experience across Apple's mobile ecosystem.

### Does Dear Aunt Sally have ads?

No, Dear Aunt Sally does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted learning experience for its users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.1.0 — 2026-08-02

share option added for iPads

### 5.0.0 — 2026-07-28

comply with new age rating requirements; new menus; add share/support options

### 4.1 — 2024-05-01

User Guide; iconic menus

### 4.0 — 2024-04-24

Added PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy plist; direct rating/review method

### 3.0 — 2023-02-01

Push Notifications

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All apps by Neil Rohan: https://appshunter.io/developer/1522614743

## Related topics

[pemdas](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pemdas)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-08.*
