Definition
Procedure
A planned sequence of math actions carried out in a stated order.
What it means
A procedure tells what to do first, next, and last. Following the order matters, but understanding why the steps work helps you choose the right procedure and notice mistakes.
Remember it
A procedure is a path of steps: first, next, then check.
Example
To find the perimeter of a rectangle 8 cm long and 3 cm wide: add all four sides, 8 + 3 + 8 + 3 = 22 cm, then check that the unit is centimetres.
Watch for
“Try something clever” is a strategy suggestion, not a complete procedure, because it does not give ordered steps.
Common mix-up
A strategy is a chosen plan; a procedure is the ordered set of actions used to carry it out.
Exact meaning
A mathematical procedure lists actions to perform in sequence when particular conditions apply. Some procedures are task-specific; an algorithm is the more tightly specified kind designed for every problem in a class.