Operation facts for kids

An operation is a planned action or process that helps achieve a specific goal. The word "operation" can mean different things depending on how it is used. It often describes a series of steps taken to get something done.

What is a Medical Operation?

In medicine, an operation is a procedure performed by doctors. It is often called surgery. Doctors do operations to fix or improve parts of the body. This might involve carefully cutting, removing, or repairing tissues. The main goal is to treat diseases or injuries. For example, a doctor might perform an operation to remove an appendix. They might also do one to repair a broken bone.

How Math Uses Operations

In mathematics, an operation is a rule for combining numbers or other mathematical objects. These rules help us solve problems. The most common math operations are:

• Addition: This is when you combine two or more numbers to find their total. For example, 2 + 3 = 5.
• Subtraction: This is when you take one number away from another. For example, 5 - 2 = 3.
• Multiplication: This is a quick way to do repeated addition. For example, 2 x 3 means adding 2 three times (2 + 2 + 2 = 6).
• Division: This is when you split a number into equal parts. For example, 6 ÷ 3 = 2, meaning 6 can be split into 3 groups of 2.

Operations in Games

Some games use the word "operation" in their name or theme. For example, Operation (game) is a popular board game. In this game, players pretend to be surgeons. They use tweezers to remove funny "ailments" from a patient on the game board. If they touch the sides, a buzzer sounds. This game teaches careful hand movements.

Military Operations

A military operation is a planned action by armed forces. It is usually part of a larger strategy. These operations can include battles, rescue missions, or peacekeeping efforts. For example, a military operation might involve moving troops to a certain area. It could also mean launching an attack on an enemy position. These actions are carefully planned to achieve specific military goals.

Business Operations

In business, "operations" refers to the daily activities that keep a company running. This includes everything a business does to produce its goods or services. It also covers how it delivers them to customers. For example, a factory's operations include making products. A store's operations involve managing inventory and serving shoppers. Good operations help a business run smoothly and efficiently.

See also

In Spanish: Operación para niños