Grade 7Matheasy
Order of Operations Practice - Grade 7
Practice solving expressions using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) with whole numbers, fractions, and simple exponents.
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Apply PEMDAS/BODMAS rules to solve expressions containing parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction in the correct sequence
- Calculate expressions with simple exponents (squares and cubes) while maintaining proper order of operations
- Solve multi-step problems involving fractions using the correct order of operations
- Identify which operation to perform first in complex expressions containing multiple operation types
- Demonstrate understanding of why multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction in mathematical expressions
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Have students write 'PEMDAS' at the top of their worksheet as a reference and briefly review what each letter stands for
- Step 2: For each expression, students should first identify and circle all parentheses, then locate any exponents and mark them with a square
- Step 3: Work through problems 1-5 together, having students verbally explain which operation they'll do first and why
- Step 4: Allow students to complete problems 6-10 independently while you check their first few steps to ensure they're following the correct sequence
- Step 5: Review problems 11-15 as a group, focusing on any expressions that involve fractions or multiple exponents to reinforce proper technique
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Encourage students to write out each step of PEMDAS and cross off completed operations to avoid skipping steps - many 7th graders rush through and forget to handle exponents before multiplication
When working with fractions in order of operations, remind students that fraction bars act like parentheses - they must complete operations in the numerator and denominator separately before dividing
Watch for the common mistake of working strictly left to right instead of following PEMDAS - have students circle or underline the operation they should do next before calculating
For expressions with exponents, emphasize that 2³ means 2×2×2=8, not 2×3=6, since many students at this level still confuse exponents with multiplication
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my 7th grader keep getting different answers even when using PEMDAS?
This often happens when students correctly identify the order but make arithmetic errors within each step. Have them show their work for each individual calculation (like 3² = 9) before moving to the next operation. Also check that they're handling negative numbers correctly when they appear in exponents.
Should my child memorize PEMDAS or BODMAS, and does it matter which one?
Both acronyms teach the same mathematical rules - PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) and BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction) are just different ways to remember the same order. Stick with whichever your child's school uses to avoid confusion.
How can I help my child remember that multiplication and division have equal priority?
Explain that multiplication and division are performed from left to right when they appear together, just like addition and subtraction. Use the phrase 'same level' - multiplication and division are on the same level of importance, so you do whichever comes first as you read left to right.
My child struggles with order of operations when fractions are involved. What's the best approach?
Teach them that fraction bars work like invisible parentheses. In an expression like (2+3)/(4-1), they must solve 2+3=5 and 4-1=3 first, then divide 5÷3. Practice having them rewrite fraction problems with parentheses to make this clearer.
What's the most common mistake 7th graders make with order of operations?
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