SME
Grade 5 Math · Problem type
Order of operations
Use this for “6 + 12 ÷ 4 − 2 × 3 =”: multiply and divide first.
Diagram
6 + 12 ÷ 4 − 2 × 3 = 6 + 3 − 6 = 3
Result: 3
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
First number
+
Number divided
÷
Divisor
−
Third number
×
Fourth number
=
Result
Quotient
worked out (not typed)
Product
worked out (not typed)
Sum so far
worked out (not typed)
Formulas
12 ÷ 4 = 3
Number divided ÷ divisor = quotient
2 × 3 = 6
Third number × fourth number = product
6 + 3 = 9
First number + quotient = sum so far
9 − 6 = 3
Sum so far − product = result
Assumptions
•
No parentheses: multiply and divide first, from left to right.
•
Then add and subtract, from left to right.
•
So 6 + 12 ÷ 4 − 2 × 3 = 6 + 3 − 6 = 3.
•
Numbers to 100, divisors and factors to 10; the result is not below 0.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
First number: 6
Number divided: 12
Divisor: 4
Third number: 2
Fourth number: 3
FIND
quotient, product, sum so far, result
Step 1 · Find quotient
12 ÷ 4 = ?
Number divided ÷ divisor = quotient
Divide first: division comes before adding and subtracting.
Quotient = 3
Step 2 · Find product
2 × 3 = ?
Third number × fourth number = product
Multiply next, before any adding or subtracting.
Product = 6
Step 3 · Find sum so far
6 + 3 = ?
First number + quotient = sum so far
Now add and subtract from left to right: add first.
Sum so far = 9
Step 4 · Find result
9 − 6 = ?
Sum so far − product = result
Then subtract the product.
Result = 3
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
3 × 4 = 12 ✓
2 × 3 = 6 ✓
6 + 3 = 9 ✓
9 − 6 = 3 ✓
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