Grade 5Matheasy
Order of Operations Practice - Grade 5
Practice solving math expressions using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS): Parentheses, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right).
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Apply the PEMDAS order of operations 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 operations
- Solve expressions with parentheses by completing operations inside parentheses before moving to other operations
- Calculate expressions involving multiplication and division from left to right when both operations appear
- Evaluate expressions with addition and subtraction from left to right when both operations appear together
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Have your child read through the first few problems and identify which operations they see (parentheses, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction)
- Step 2: Review the PEMDAS acronym together and practice saying 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally' while pointing to each operation type
- Step 3: Work through the first 3-5 problems together, having your child identify which operation to do first and explaining their reasoning before calculating
- Step 4: Let your child complete the remaining problems independently, encouraging them to show each step of their work
- Step 5: Review any incorrect answers by working through the problem together step-by-step to identify where the mistake occurred
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use the mnemonic 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally' to help students remember PEMDAS, but emphasize that multiplication/division and addition/subtraction are performed left to right, not multiplication before division
Have students circle or underline parentheses first, then work through the expression step-by-step, writing out each step to avoid skipping operations or making calculation errors
Watch for the common mistake of working left to right without considering order of operations - students often want to solve 2 + 3 × 4 as (2 + 3) × 4 = 20 instead of 2 + (3 × 4) = 14
Encourage students to rewrite expressions after each step rather than trying to do multiple operations mentally, which helps prevent errors and builds confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my child keep getting different answers than the answer key for order of operations problems?
The most common reason is working from left to right without following PEMDAS. For example, in 8 - 2 × 3, students often calculate (8 - 2) × 3 = 18 instead of 8 - (2 × 3) = 2. Have them circle the multiplication first, solve it, then do the subtraction.
Should multiplication always come before division in PEMDAS?
No, this is a common misconception. Multiplication and division have equal priority and should be solved from left to right. Same with addition and subtraction - they're equal and solved left to right. So in 12 ÷ 3 × 2, you do 12 ÷ 3 = 4 first, then 4 × 2 = 8.
How can I help my child remember to do operations inside parentheses first?
Teach them to physically circle or highlight all parentheses before starting any problem. Make it a habit to always look for and solve parentheses first. You can also use the phrase 'parentheses are like a fort - finish everything inside the fort before you can leave.'
What should I do if my 5th grader finds order of operations overwhelming?
Start with simpler expressions using only two operations, like 3 + 2 × 4. Have them write out each step clearly: Step 1: 2 × 4 = 8, Step 2: 3 + 8 = 11. Build confidence with easier problems before moving to expressions with parentheses and multiple operations.
Are there any hands-on activities to make order of operations more concrete for my child?
Yes! Try using different colored pencils for each type of operation, or use manipulatives like blocks to physically group operations. You can also create 'operation cards' and have your child arrange them in PEMDAS order before solving the problem.
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