Brackets & Grouping — How Parentheses Change Value (Grades 5–6)
Parentheses (brackets) tell you what to do first, and moving them changes the answer.
Understanding brackets & grouping
2 + 3 × 4 = 14, but (2 + 3) × 4 = 20. Placing brackets is a powerful tool for hitting a target: decide what should happen first, and wrap it.
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Where do brackets go to make 2 + 3 × 4 equal 20?
Group the addition first: (2 + 3) × 4 = 5 × 4 = 20.
Parentheses can change the value.
A common mistake, and the fix
Bracketing a part that already comes first.
In 2 + 3 × 4, writing 2 + (3 × 4) changes nothing, because the multiplication came first anyway; it is still 14. To make 20, the addition has to come first: (2 + 3) × 4.
Try a few
(6 − 2) × 3
Make 8 − 4 ÷ 2 equal 2 with brackets.
the bracket makes the subtraction first: 4 ÷ 2 = 2.
10 − (3 + 2)
Make the Target
A calm order-of-operations game: choose the signs, watch the steps happen in order, and add parentheses.
Try it in Numeris.
A short lesson, then practice with feedback on every answer.
Put the reasoning on paper.
Try six fraction, angle, perimeter and area questions with explained answers, for grades 4–6.
Free printable · 3 pagesText version (screen-reader friendly): Draw it. Explain it. Math sample
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