Grade 6Matheasy
Order of Operations
Order of Operations — Order of Operations worksheet for Grade 6.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Apply the PEMDAS/BODMAS rule correctly to solve multi-step expressions 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 step-by-step using the order of operations, showing work for each calculation
- Distinguish between expressions that require different operation sequences and explain why order matters
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the PEMDAS/BODMAS acronym with your student before starting. Have them write it down or create a reference card they can check while working through the 10 problems.
- Step 2: Work through the first problem together as a model. Circle or highlight the parentheses first, then identify which operation comes next according to PEMDAS, and solve step-by-step on paper.
- Step 3: Have your student solve problems 2–5 independently while you observe. Ask them to verbally explain which operation they're doing and why (e.g., 'I'm doing multiplication before addition because that comes first in PEMDAS').
- Step 4: Review problems 6–10 with your student, checking each step of their work. If an answer is incorrect, ask them to identify where they made the mistake in their order of operations rather than simply telling them the right answer.
- Step 5: Once all 10 problems are complete, ask your student to choose one problem and explain their entire solution process aloud. This reinforces the sequential thinking required for order of operations.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Help students memorize PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) by creating a memorable acronym or phrase. Common errors occur when students perform operations left-to-right instead of following the correct hierarchy—emphasize that multiplication and division have equal priority and should be done left-to-right, as should addition and subtraction.
Use color-coding or circling to help students visually track which operation they're solving at each step. Have them write out the expression after each calculation (e.g., 8 + 2 × 3 → 8 + 6 → 14) so they can see the progression and avoid skipping steps or making arithmetic mistakes.
Remind students that parentheses are the priority and must always be solved first, even if it means doing a subtraction or division before a multiplication. A common mistake is ignoring parentheses that contain simple operations like (5 − 2), thinking 'it's just subtraction so I'll do it later.'
Have students check their work by substituting their final answer back into the original expression mentally. This helps build number sense and confidence while catching careless errors before they submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do multiplication and division have the same priority in the order of operations?
Multiplication and division are inverse operations with equal mathematical weight. They should be performed from left to right as they appear in the expression. The same applies to addition and subtraction. For example, in 12 ÷ 2 × 3, you work left to right: 12 ÷ 2 = 6, then 6 × 3 = 18. If you did multiplication first, you'd get a different (wrong) answer.
What should my child do if there are parentheses inside parentheses?
Work from the innermost parentheses outward. For example, in 5 × (10 − (3 + 2)), solve 3 + 2 first to get 5, then solve 10 − 5 to get 5, and finally 5 × 5 to get 25. This is called 'nested parentheses,' and it's important to remember that you always solve the deepest layer first.
Why does the order of operations matter? Can't students just solve left to right?
If everyone used different orders, we'd get different answers for the same problem! The order of operations is a universal rule that ensures everyone solves expressions the same way. For instance, 2 + 3 × 4 equals 14 when you follow order of operations (multiply first), but 20 if you go left to right. We use the standard rule so math makes sense across all contexts.
How can I help my child remember which operation to do first when they're stuck?
Encourage them to write 'PEMDAS' or 'BODMAS' down on their paper and check off each letter as they verify that operation isn't needed. They can also use the mnemonic 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally' or create their own memory device. The key is practicing until the rule becomes automatic.
What's the difference between 'order of operations' and just solving expressions?
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