Grade 4Matheasy
Order of Operations
Order of Operations — Order of Operations worksheet for Grade 4.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Identify the correct sequence of operations (parentheses, multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction) when solving multi-step problems
- Solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems that contain 2-3 operations by applying the order of operations correctly
- Apply the order of operations to evaluate expressions with parentheses and explain why parentheses change the result
- Distinguish between problems solved left-to-right versus problems that require following the order of operations
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Begin by reviewing the order of operations rule with your student. Write PEMDAS on a whiteboard or paper and explain that we solve problems in this specific order: first Parentheses, then Multiplication and Division (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right).
- Step 2: Work through the first 2-3 problems together as a class or one-on-one. Model how to identify which operation to perform first, circle or underline it, and then solve it. Show the work step-by-step on paper so students can see the process.
- Step 3: Have students solve the remaining 7-8 problems independently while you circulate to observe their work. Look specifically for whether they are respecting the order of operations rather than solving left-to-right.
- Step 4: Review completed worksheets by having students explain their thinking aloud for 2-3 problems. Ask 'Which operation did you do first? Why?' to confirm they understand the reasoning, not just the procedure.
- Step 5: If students struggle with more than 2-3 problems, provide extra practice using real-world contexts (e.g., 'If you have 5 bags with 3 apples each, plus 2 extra apples, how many total?') to make the order of operations concrete and meaningful.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) or teach it as 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally' to help students remember the sequence. For Grade 4 easy difficulty, focus primarily on the parentheses, multiplication/division, and addition/subtraction steps—exponents are not typically included at this level.
Watch for the common mistake where students solve strictly left-to-right without following order of operations. For example, in 2 + 3 × 4, students often calculate 2 + 3 = 5 first, then 5 × 4 = 20, instead of doing 3 × 4 = 12 first, then 2 + 12 = 14. Have students circle or underline multiplication and division operations first before solving.
Emphasize that multiplication and division have equal priority and should be performed left-to-right when they appear together (same with addition and subtraction). Use visual cues like colored pencils to highlight which operation to do first in each problem.
Encourage students to rewrite problems step-by-step on paper, showing each calculation rather than trying to solve in their head. This builds confidence and helps catch errors—for example, writing out 8 ÷ 2 + 3 as first 8 ÷ 2 = 4, then 4 + 3 = 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need the order of operations? Can't we just solve left to right?
The order of operations ensures that everyone gets the same answer when solving the same problem. If everyone solved left to right, different people might calculate 2 + 3 × 4 in different ways and get different answers. By following a standard order (parentheses, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction), mathematicians all over the world agree on the correct answer: 14, not 20.
My child solves the problem correctly but forgets to show the steps. Should I require all work to be written out?
Yes, showing work is crucial at this grade level, especially while learning order of operations. Writing out each step helps students slow down, identify which operation to do first, and catch mistakes. It also helps you see where their thinking went wrong if they arrive at an incorrect answer. Once students master the concept, they can mentally calculate faster, but the practice of showing steps builds strong mathematical thinking.
How do I explain to my child why 2 + 3 × 4 is NOT 20?
Use a relatable example: 'Imagine you have 2 dollars, and your friend has 3 groups of 4 dollars each. First, we figure out how much your friend has: 3 × 4 = 12 dollars. Then we add your 2 dollars: 2 + 12 = 14 dollars total. We can't add the 2 and 3 first because the 3 is not just 3 dollars—it represents 3 groups of 4 dollars. That's why multiplication comes before addition.'
Should I teach exponents at the same time as order of operations?
For Grade 4 at the easy difficulty level, exponents are not typically included. Focus on mastering parentheses, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction in the correct sequence. Once your student is confident with these, exponents can be introduced in Grade 5 or higher as an extension of order of operations.
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