Order of Operations (Grade 5)
When an expression mixes operations, everyone must follow the same order so they get the same answer: do parentheses first, then multiplication and division (left to right), then addition and subtraction (left to right). In 2 + 3 × 4, the multiplication comes first: 3 × 4 = 12, then 2 + 12 = 14 (not 20).
Understanding order of operations
When an expression mixes operations, everyone must follow the same order so they get the same answer: do parentheses first, then multiplication and division (left to right), then addition and subtraction (left to right). In 2 + 3 × 4, the multiplication comes first: 3 × 4 = 12, then 2 + 12 = 14 (not 20).
Key Idea
When an expression mixes operations, everyone must follow the same order so they get the same answer: do parentheses first, then multiplication and division (left to right), then addition and subtraction (left to right). In 2 + 3 × 4, the multiplication comes first: 3 × 4 = 12, then 2 + 12 = 14 (not 20).
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Evaluate 2 + 3 × 4.
Multiplication first: 3 × 4 = 12. Then add: 2 + 12 = 14.
Multiply before adding unless parentheses say otherwise.
Try a few
10 − 2 × 3
2×3 first.
(2 + 3) × 4
parentheses first.
12 ÷ 4 + 1
Make the Target
A calm operations game for choosing operators, evaluating expressions, and placing brackets.
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