Parentheses and order of operations
Practise expressions where parentheses must be calculated first, then multiplication or division, then addition or subtraction.
How to solve this
- Parentheses are a signal to pause the usual order and calculate that part first.
- (4 + 6) × 3 is not the same as 4 + 6 × 3: the first gives 30, the second gives 22.
- After solving the parentheses, rewrite the shorter expression before continuing; this reduces mistakes in longer tasks.
Examples
(4 + 6) × 3
30
18 + (24 ÷ 6)
22
40 - (7 × 5)
5
Practice problems with answers
Solve these problems on paper or out loud, then check the answer key. The online practice and the printable worksheet give a new set every time.
- 117 ___ 11 × (10 + 7)
- (3 + 11) × 8 = ___
- 86 ___ 9 × (9 + 5)
- 8 + 11 × 8 = ___
- 80 ___ 11 × (7 + 3)
- 6 + 12 × 9 = ___
- 9 + 4 × 6 = ___
- (11 + 6) × 3 = ___
Show answers
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