How it works
Work inside the brackets first. Inside brackets before outside ones.
Then multiply and divide, then add and subtract.
Brackets can change the answer: (4 + 3) × 5 is not 4 + 3 × 5.
Worked examples
One pair
- (4 + 3) × 5 = ?
- Do the brackets first: 4 + 3 = 7.
- Then 7 × 5 = 35.
- So the answer is 35.
Brackets inside brackets
- 8 + ((5 + 2) × 6) = ?
- Inside first: 5 + 2 = 7.
- Then 7 × 6 = 42, and 8 + 42 = 50.
- So the answer is 50.
Several steps
- 3 + 4 × 4 − (4 − (4 − 2)) = ?
- Innermost first: 4 − 2 = 2, then 4 − 2 = 2.
- Times next: 4 × 4 = 16.
- Then 3 + 16 − 2 = 17.
- So the answer is 17.
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- 2 × (12 − 8) = __
- 12 ÷ (8 − 4) = __
- 5 × (8 + 8) = __
- 5 × (10 + 4) = __
- (3 + 11) ÷ 2 = __
Words to know
- brackets
- Marks that show what to do first.