Grade 7Mathmedium
Order of Operations - PEMDAS Practice
Practice applying the order of operations (PEMDAS) to solve expressions with parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Apply the PEMDAS rule correctly to evaluate numerical expressions containing all six operations in the proper sequence
- Solve multi-step expressions with nested parentheses and multiple grouping symbols accurately
- Calculate expressions involving exponents combined with other operations while maintaining correct order
- Identify and correct common order of operations errors in complex mathematical expressions
- Demonstrate mastery of PEMDAS by solving 15 varied expressions with at least 80% accuracy
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the PEMDAS acronym with your student and have them write out what each letter stands for before starting any problems
- Step 2: For each expression, have your student identify and mark all operation types present using different colors or symbols
- Step 3: Work through problems 1-5 together, verbalizing each PEMDAS step and showing all work clearly on paper
- Step 4: Let your student attempt problems 6-10 independently while you observe, providing guidance only when they get stuck on which operation to perform next
- Step 5: Review all 15 answers together, having your student explain their reasoning for any incorrect problems and rework them using proper PEMDAS steps
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Watch for students who work strictly left-to-right instead of following PEMDAS - have them circle or underline each operation type in different colors before solving to visualize the correct sequence
Many 7th graders forget that multiplication and division have equal priority and should be solved left-to-right, same with addition and subtraction - emphasize that MD and AS are pairs, not hierarchies
When students encounter nested parentheses like ((8+2)×3), teach them to work from the innermost parentheses outward, solving one layer at a time and rewriting the expression at each step
Common mistake: Students often calculate exponents last instead of second - create a PEMDAS anchor chart and have students point to each step as they work through problems
Frequently Asked Questions
My 7th grader keeps getting different answers when there are multiple operations at the same level. What should I do?
Remind them that when operations have equal priority (like multiplication and division, or addition and subtraction), they should work from left to right. Practice with simple examples like 12÷3×2 (which equals 8, not 2) to reinforce this concept.
How can I help my child remember to do exponents before multiplication?
Create memory devices like 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally' and emphasize that exponents come second. Have them rewrite expressions step-by-step, calculating exponents first: 3×2² becomes 3×4, then 12.
What should I do if my student is overwhelmed by expressions with many operations?
Break complex expressions into smaller chunks by having them solve one operation type at a time, rewriting the expression after each step. For example: 2+3×(4²-6) becomes 2+3×(16-6), then 2+3×10, then 2+30, finally 32.
How do I know if my 7th grader is ready for more advanced order of operations problems?
They should consistently solve expressions with all PEMDAS components, handle nested parentheses correctly, and explain their reasoning clearly. If they can complete this worksheet with 80% accuracy and explain their steps, they're ready for more complex algebraic expressions.
My child struggles specifically with expressions that have no parentheses. Any suggestions?
Without parentheses, students must rely purely on PEMDAS order. Have them add their own parentheses to show the correct order: 6+2×3² becomes 6+(2×(3²)) = 6+(2×9) = 6+18 = 24. This visual aid helps them see the proper sequence.
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