Order-of-operations worksheets
Practice deciding what to calculate first in an expression. Choose the operations and number range in the builder.
Sample worksheet
Download the sample worksheet and answer key, or open the builder to change the settings.
Download sample PDF
Change the settings
Before starting: Calculate basic operations and recognize parentheses and exponents.
After this: Compare expressions with and without parentheses and explain why their values differ.
Example questions
- 4 + 3 x 5
- (18 - 6) / 3
- 2^3 + 4 x 6
Settings in the builder
- operation set
- parentheses
- number range
Worked example
2^3 + 4 x 6
Answer: 32
How to solve it
Evaluate the exponent to get 8, then the product to get 24. Add 8 + 24. Multiplication and division share priority and are handled left to right.
Common mistakes
What to check
- working strictly left to right
- doing addition before multiplication
Ways to review the work
- 1
Require one line of work per completed operation so the sequence stays visible.
- 2
Compare 8 / 2 x 4 with 8 / (2 x 4) to distinguish equal-priority operations from grouping.
Teaching content updated 2026-09-05. Read our accuracy standards.