Grade 4Mathmedium
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 sequence of operations (parentheses, multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction) to solve multi-step arithmetic problems
- Identify which operation to perform first in expressions containing two or more different operations
- Solve mixed operation problems (containing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or division) by following order of operations rules
- Evaluate expressions with parentheses and explain how parentheses change the order in which operations are performed
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the order of operations rules with your student before starting. Write PEMDAS on a whiteboard or paper and discuss what each letter means, using simple examples like 5 + 2 × 3 to show why order matters.
- Step 2: Work through the first problem together as a model. Have your student identify which operations are present, circle or number which operation to do first, then solve step-by-step aloud while you listen and verify each step.
- Step 3: Assign problems 2-5 for guided practice. Circulate or observe, and when you notice incorrect sequencing, pause and ask 'Which operation should you do first? Why?' to build metacognitive awareness rather than just giving corrections.
- Step 4: Check problems 2-5 together, celebrating correct reasoning and using any errors as teaching moments. If a student missed multiple problems, identify whether the issue is understanding order of operations or calculation errors, then address accordingly.
- Step 5: Assign the remaining problems (6-10) as independent practice. These should be completed without guidance but reviewed together afterward to reinforce the concept and identify any persistent misconceptions about operation sequencing.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Teach students to use the acronym PEMDAS or BODMAS (Parentheses/Brackets, Exponents/Orders, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) as a memory tool, but emphasize that multiplication and division have equal priority and are solved left to right, as are addition and subtraction. Many Grade 4 students mistakenly think multiplication always comes before division.
Address the common error where students solve expressions left to right without following order of operations. For example, with 2 + 3 × 4, students often calculate 2 + 3 = 5, then 5 × 4 = 20, when the correct answer is 2 + 12 = 14. Have them circle or underline the operation they should do first before solving.
Use color-coding or numbering strategies on the worksheet: have students number the operations in the order they'll solve them (1, 2, 3) before calculating. This helps visualize the sequence and reduces careless mistakes, especially with problems involving parentheses.
Point out that parentheses are like 'solving instructions' that say 'do this part first.' When students see parentheses, they should treat that section as a single number before moving to other operations. Work through one parentheses example together verbally before assigning independent practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need order of operations? Can't students just solve problems however they want?
Order of operations is a universal agreement in mathematics that ensures everyone gets the same correct answer when solving the same problem. Without it, different people could get different answers for 2 + 3 × 4, which would make math confusing and unreliable. It's like traffic rules—everyone follows the same rules so traffic flows safely.
My child keeps solving problems left to right, ignoring order of operations. How can I help them break this habit?
This is very common at Grade 4. Have your student physically mark or write numbers (1, 2, 3) above each operation showing the order they should solve it before they calculate anything. This makes the sequence visible and concrete. Practice with just 2-3 operations first, then gradually increase complexity. Also, explicitly say aloud 'multiplication comes before addition' as you work through examples together.
What's the difference between how multiplication and division are treated in order of operations?
Multiplication and division have equal priority—neither comes before the other. When both appear in a problem, you solve whichever one comes first from left to right. For example, in 12 ÷ 2 × 3, you divide first (12 ÷ 2 = 6) then multiply (6 × 3 = 18). This surprises many students who think multiplication always comes first, so it's worth practicing problems with division before multiplication.
How do parentheses change what we do in order of operations?
Parentheses tell us to solve that part first, before anything else. Think of parentheses like saying 'do this immediately!' So in 3 × (2 + 4), you must add 2 + 4 to get 6 first, then multiply 3 × 6 to get 18. Without the parentheses, 3 × 2 + 4 would be solved as multiplication first (3 × 2 = 6) then addition (6 + 4 = 10), giving a different answer.
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