Virginia SOL Math / Grade 5 / Computation & Estimation

5.CE.4

Order of Operations

What you'll learn

  • Simplify numerical expressions using the order of operations
  • Use parentheses to group operations
  • Explain why the order of operations matters

Words to know

Expression —
numbers and operations grouped together
Order of operations —
the agreed order for simplifying an expression
Parentheses —
grouping symbols done first
Operation —
adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing
Simplify —
work an expression down to a single value

Why it matters Following one agreed order means everyone gets the same answer from the same expression.

Worked examples

Model ItI do

Simplify 3 + 4 x 2.

Multiplication comes before addition, so first do 4 x 2 = 8. Then add: 3 + 8 = 11.

Try It TogetherWe do

Simplify (6 + 2) x 3.

Do the parentheses first: 6 + 2 = 8. Then multiply: 8 x 3 = 24.

Now YouYou do

Simplify 20 - 12 divided by 4.

Divide before you subtract, following the order of operations. Check your answer in the back of this chapter.

Practice

Mastered 0 of 11

Warm-up

Ease in with the basics.

  1. 1.Simplify 2 + 3 x 4.

  2. 2.Simplify (5 + 5) x 2.

  3. 3.Simplify 12 divided by 4 + 3.

On Level

The core Quick Check from the book.

  1. 1.Simplify 5 + 6 x 2.

  2. 2.Simplify (8 - 3) x 4.

  3. 3.Simplify 18 divided by 3 + 1.

  4. 4.Simplify 2 x (7 + 3).

  5. 5.Simplify 10 - 2 x 3.

Challenge

Stretch your thinking.

  1. 1.Simplify 4 x (3 + 2) - 6 divided by 2.

  2. 2.Simplify 36 divided by (4 + 2) + 5 x 3.

  3. 3.Simplify (10 - 4) x 3 + 8 divided by 2.