How to use this sheet

  • Have the child underline the step to do first in each line, then rewrite the expression after each step.
  • Remind the child that multiplication and division are done in one pass, left to right, as are addition and subtraction.
  • Check one answer on a calculator that follows the order of operations.

Common mistakes

  • Working left to right every time, so 3 + 4 × 2 becomes 14. Multiply first: 11.
  • Doing all multiplication before any division because of the order of a memory aid. They are equal: go left to right.
  • Forgetting that the exponent goes only on the number it touches, so 2 × 3² is worked as 6².

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