Grade 4Matheasy
Order of Operations
Order of Operations — Order of Operations worksheet for Grade 4.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Solve multi-step arithmetic expressions by correctly applying the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) with parentheses, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction
- Identify which operation to perform first in expressions containing two or more different types of operations
- Evaluate expressions with parentheses by recognizing that operations inside parentheses must be completed before other operations
- Apply the left-to-right rule for solving multiplication and division problems that appear in the same expression
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Before solving, have the student read through all 10 problems and circle any parentheses they see. This activates their awareness of a key part of the order of operations.
- Step 2: Work through the first 1-2 problems together as a model. Verbally walk through which operation happens first and why, using the language 'I do this first because...' to reinforce the reasoning behind order of operations.
- Step 3: Have the student complete problems 3-5 independently while you observe. Check their work immediately to catch and correct any misconceptions about which operation to perform first, before bad habits form on the remaining problems.
- Step 4: For problems 6-10, encourage the student to write out each step on a separate line (showing intermediate answers) rather than writing just a final answer. This creates a clear audit trail and helps you identify exactly where errors occur.
- Step 5: After completing the worksheet, review any missed problems together and have the student explain in their own words why they solved it in that order. This reflection deepens understanding and prepares them for more complex order of operations problems.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) as a memory tool, but emphasize that multiplication and division are equal priority and should be done left to right, as should addition and subtraction. Many Grade 4 students incorrectly believe multiplication must always come before division.
Watch for the common mistake of ignoring parentheses. Have students circle or highlight parentheses first before solving any problem. This visual cue helps them remember to solve what's inside the parentheses immediately, even if it contains only addition or subtraction.
Encourage students to rewrite problems step-by-step on separate lines rather than trying to solve everything mentally. For example, if the problem is 2 + 3 × 4, have them write: Step 1: 3 × 4 = 12, then Step 2: 2 + 12 = 14. This prevents careless errors and makes checking work easier.
Provide real-world context for why order matters. For example, ask: 'If you buy 3 packages of 5 stickers and then add 2 more stickers, how many do you have?' This shows that 3 × 5 + 2 = 17, not 3 × 7 = 21, making the concept concrete and meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child solved 2 + 3 × 4 and got 20. Why is that wrong, and how do I explain it?
Your child added first (2 + 3 = 5) and then multiplied (5 × 4 = 20), which breaks the order of operations. In the correct order, multiplication comes before addition, so you multiply first: 3 × 4 = 12, then add: 2 + 12 = 14. You can help your child remember by saying: 'Multiplication and division are like the boss operations—they always get to go first, even if you see them second in the problem.'
Does the order of operations really matter for Grade 4, or is it just a school rule?
Order of operations is absolutely essential—it's how mathematicians worldwide agree to solve problems so everyone gets the same answer. Without agreed-upon rules, different people would get different answers to the same problem, and math wouldn't work reliably. Grade 4 is the perfect time to learn these rules because they'll build on them for years to come in algebra, fractions, and more advanced math.
My child struggles with parentheses. How can I help them understand why parentheses matter?
Try using a concrete example: 'If I say put on your socks (parentheses) then put on your shoes, you do socks first. If I didn't have those parentheses and just said put on socks and shoes, you might try shoes first and it wouldn't work!' You can also use manipulatives like blocks or coins: (2 + 3) × 4 means 'make a group of 5 blocks, then make 4 of those groups' versus 2 + (3 × 4), which means 'make 4 groups of 3, then add 2 more.' The parentheses change what you're grouping.
When there's both multiplication and division in one problem, which comes first?
Multiplication and division have equal importance in the order of operations, so you solve whichever one appears first from left to right. For example, in 12 ÷ 3 × 2, you divide first (12 ÷ 3 = 4) because the division symbol appears before the multiplication symbol, then multiply (4 × 2 = 8). Think of multiplication and division as 'best friends' who have equal power—we just go left to right to decide who goes first.
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