Order of operations

What this chapter teaches

Calculations with several operations are worked in an agreed order: brackets, then multiplying and dividing, then adding and taking away, left to right inside a step. Brackets change the order, so they can change the answer.

Three questions to ask

There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.

1. Why is 3 + 4 × 2 equal to 11 and not 14?
2. What do the brackets do in (3 + 4) × 2?
3. Where would you put brackets to make 2 + 3 × 4 equal 20?

After the chapter, the learner can

• Work out 3 + 4 × 2 in the right order
• Use brackets to change the order of working
• Put in brackets to make 2 + 3 × 4 equal 20