Grade 6Matheasy
Power Up!
Power Up! — operations worksheet for Grade 6.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Solve multi-step problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers and decimals
- Apply the correct order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) to evaluate expressions with multiple operations
- Demonstrate fluency in performing all four basic operations accurately and efficiently on Grade 6 level problems
- Translate word problems into mathematical expressions and solve using appropriate operations
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the order of operations (PEMDAS) with your student before starting. Write it on a sticky note for easy reference while working through the 10 problems.
- Step 2: Have your student read each problem aloud and identify which operations are involved (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a combination).
- Step 3: Work through the first 2-3 problems together, modeling how to write out each step clearly and circle or underline the operation being performed at each stage.
- Step 4: Allow your student to work through problems 4-7 independently while you observe. Provide guidance only if they're applying operations in the wrong order or making computational errors.
- Step 5: Review problems 8-10 together as a check, discussing the strategy used and verifying that all operations were completed correctly and in the proper sequence.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Watch for students who perform operations from left to right without following order of operations. Remind them to use PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) and work through each step systematically. Have them underline or circle the operation they'll do first.
Many sixth graders struggle with division of decimals. Ensure they understand that dividing by a decimal requires moving the decimal point in both the divisor and dividend. Practice with concrete examples like sharing money amounts before moving to abstract problems.
Encourage students to estimate answers before calculating, especially with multiplication and division. This helps them catch errors and builds number sense. For example, before multiplying 24 × 3.5, estimate it as 24 × 3.5 ≈ 24 × 3 = 72.
Check that students are reading multi-operation problems carefully and not skipping steps. Have them rewrite word problems as number sentences first, then solve step-by-step rather than jumping to the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need to learn order of operations? Can't we just solve problems left to right?
Order of operations ensures that everyone gets the same answer when solving a problem. Without it, 2 + 3 × 4 could equal 20 (if done left to right) or 14 (if multiplication is done first). Mathematicians agreed on the order—Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, then Addition and Subtraction—so all answers would be consistent and correct.
My child keeps getting different answers when solving the same problem twice. What should we do?
Have them slow down and work through the problem step-by-step on paper rather than trying to do it mentally. Encourage them to check their work by either solving it a second time carefully or by working backwards from their answer. If the answers still differ, look at each operation individually—often the error is in a single multiplication, division, or subtraction mistake rather than the overall strategy.
How can I help my child who struggles with division, especially with remainders?
Use real-world contexts like dividing snacks or money. For example, 'If you have 17 cookies to share equally among 5 friends, how many does each get and how many are left over?' This makes remainders meaningful. Practice long division with visual supports and ensure they understand what the remainder actually represents in the context of the problem.
What's the difference between these operations at Grade 6 level versus earlier grades?
In Grade 6, students work with larger numbers, decimals, and multi-step problems that combine all four operations. Earlier grades focused on single operations with smaller whole numbers. Grade 6 also introduces order of operations and requires students to apply operations to solve more complex, real-world problems rather than just computing isolated facts.
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