Mathematical operations are executed in a specific order. For example, consider the following two simple calculations:

3 + 2 * 2 
2 * 2 + 3 

The result of both of the preceding expressions is 7 (2 multiplied by 2, then add 3).

PowerShell, and most other programming languages, will calculate elements of an expression using multiplication (*), division (/), and remainder (%) first. Addition (+) and subtraction (-) are calculated next.

PowerShell has two additional operators in this category, -shl and -shr. These two have the lowest precedence and are only executed after other operations. For example, the result of the following calculation will be 128:

2 * 4 -shl 2 + 2 

First, 2 * 4 is calculated, followed by 2 + 2, and then -shl is used. The -shl operator is discussed in detail in Shift left and shift right operators.

Consider the following example:

(3 + 2) * 2 

Expressions in parentheses are always calculated first to cater for more advanced situations. For example, the result of the above calculation is 10.