OA Standards

Evaluate Numerical Expressions

5.OA.1

Order of Operations

Important Vocabulary!

• Numerical Expression: A mathematical phrase that includes numbers and operation signs (like +, –, x, ÷).

• Evaluate: to solve, or to find the value of

• Simplify: to solve an expression by performing the calculations one step at a time

• Order of Operations: the correct order of steps used to solve an expression that has more than one operation

Multiple Choice

A mathematical phrase that contains numbers and operation signs

• Evaluate

• Order of operations

• Simplify

• Numerical Expression

Multiple Choice

To solve, or find the value of, an expression

• Evaluate

• Order of operations

• Numerical Expression

Order of Operations

Step 1: Parentheses and other grouping symbols

If an expression has grouping symbols like:

( ) or [ ] or { }

you always complete the math inside them first

Multiple Choice

Which part of this expression should be completed first?

7 + (8 – 5) x 9

• 7 + 8

• 8 – 5

• 5 x 9

Order of Operations

Step 2: Multiply or Divide, from left to right

After solving any math in parentheses (or if an expression does not have any parentheses or grouping symbols), the next step is to complete any multiplication AND/OR division

If an expression has more than one multiplication or division part, solve them in order from left to right.

This means that sometimes division will come before multiplication if it is first from left to right

Multiple Choice

Which part of the expression should be completed first?

9 + 8 – 4 x 7

• 9 + 8

• 8 – 4

• 4 x 7

Order of Operations

Step 3: Add or Subtract, from left to right

Once you have completed any work inside parentheses and all multiplication and division, the final step is to complete any addition AND/OR subtraction

If an expression has more than one addition or subtraction part, solve them in order from left to right.

This means that sometimes subtraction will come before addition if it is first from left to right

Multiple Choice

Solve this expression using the correct order of operations:

8 + 5 x 2

• 18

• 26

• 21

Multiple Choice

Solve this expression using the correct order of operations:

(14 – 8) + 12 ÷ 3

• 6

• 14

• 10

Remember the Order of Operations!

1. Parentheses and grouping symbols
2. Multiply or divide, from left to right
3. Add or subtract, from left to right