How it works
Brackets hold the part done first. A number times a sum is that many copies of the sum.
'Subtract 10 from 12, then multiply by 9' is 9 × (12 − 10).
You can describe an expression without working it out.
Worked examples
Write it
- Write in numbers: subtract 10 from 12, then multiply by 9
- Subtract 10 from 12 goes inside brackets.
- Then multiply by 9.
- So the answer is 9 × (12 − 10).
Read it
- Which sentence is true of 4 × (22265 + 949)
- Look at the brackets: 22265 + 949 is one amount.
- 4 times it means 4 copies of that sum.
- So the answer is 4 times as large as 22265 + 949.
Another write
- Write in numbers: add 31 and 22, then multiply by 14
- Add 31 and 22 goes inside brackets.
- Then multiply by 14.
- So the answer is 14 × (31 + 22).
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- Write in numbers: add 7 and 4, then multiply by 3
- Write in numbers: add 3 and 7, then multiply by 8