Grade 4Matheasy
Order of Operations
Order of Operations — Order of Operations worksheet for Grade 4.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Apply the correct order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) to solve multi-step arithmetic problems with addition, subtraction, and multiplication
- Identify which operation to perform first when given expressions containing two or more different operations
- Solve problems correctly by evaluating multiplication before addition or subtraction in the same expression
- Demonstrate understanding that operations must be performed in a specific sequence to get the correct answer
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the order of operations rule with your student. For this easy G4 worksheet, emphasize that multiplication always comes before addition and subtraction. Use simple examples like 2 + 3 × 2 to illustrate why order matters.
- Step 2: Have your student work through the first problem together with you as a guided example. Ask them to identify all the operations in the problem and circle or highlight the multiplication (or division) operation that should be done first.
- Step 3: Direct your student to solve the circled operation first and write the result above or next to it. Then have them complete the remaining addition or subtraction operations from left to right.
- Step 4: Allow your student to work independently through problems 2-10, reminding them to circle the multiplication operation first before solving. Circulate and check their work, addressing any left-to-right solving errors immediately.
- Step 5: After completing all 10 problems, review the answers together. For any incorrect problems, have your student explain their thinking and identify where they performed operations in the wrong order, using this as a teachable moment.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) or the phrase 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally' to help students remember the order. At the G4 level with easy difficulty, focus primarily on Multiplication before Addition and Subtraction, as parentheses and exponents may not be prominent in these problems.
Watch for the common mistake of solving left-to-right without considering operation priority. Many G4 students will calculate 2 + 3 × 4 as (2 + 3) × 4 = 20 instead of the correct 2 + (3 × 4) = 14. Have students circle or highlight the multiplication first before solving.
Encourage students to use visual grouping strategies, such as drawing boxes around multiplication operations or using colored pencils to mark which operation to do first. This concrete approach helps students internalize the abstract concept of operation order.
Practice saying aloud the steps before calculating: 'First, I multiply. Then, I add or subtract.' This verbal rehearsal reinforces the correct sequence and helps students build automaticity with the order of operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need to follow the order of operations? Can't we just solve from left to right?
The order of operations is a set of rules that everyone agrees to follow so that we all get the same answer. If everyone solved problems differently, we'd get different answers for the same problem, which would be confusing. Think of it like the rules of a game—everyone must follow the same rules for the game to work fairly. Multiplication 'groups' things together in a special way, so it has to be done before we add or subtract.
How do I help my child remember to do multiplication before addition?
Use a consistent strategy every time. Have them physically circle or underline the multiplication problem first, then solve it before touching any addition or subtraction. You can also use the phrase 'Multiply first, then add or subtract' as a chant. After practicing this consistently, it will become automatic. Some students benefit from writing a small '1' above the multiplication and a '2' above the addition/subtraction to show the order.
What if my student keeps making mistakes with the order of operations?
This is very normal for G4 students. Go back to using very concrete methods: have them use manipulatives like blocks or counters to act out the multiplication first. For example, with 3 + 2 × 4, use counters to make 2 groups of 4, then add 3 more. This visual and hands-on approach helps them see why multiplication must come first. Practice with just two-operation problems for several days before moving to more complex ones.
Are parentheses included in these easy G4 order of operations problems?
This easy-difficulty worksheet focuses on problems with basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication without parentheses. Since parentheses are a more advanced concept, they typically aren't heavily featured at this difficulty level. If parentheses do appear, they'll be clearly marked and the emphasis will still be on understanding that you solve what's inside the parentheses first, then follow the order of operations for the remaining problem.
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