Order of Operations Introduction — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Maya has 3 bags with 4 apples each and 5 extra apples. Which expression matches the total apples?
A) 3 x 4 + 5
B) 3 + 4 x 5
C) (3 + 4) x 5
D) 3 x (4 + 5)
Three bags of four equals 12 apples, plus 5 extra makes 17, matching 3 x 4 + 5.
2. Evaluate: (12 - 4) / 2 + 3
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 11
12 - 4 equals 8, then 8 / 2 equals 4, and 4 + 3 equals 7 by PEMDAS.
3. A class buys 6 pencils for $2 each and 3 erasers for $1 each. Which expression gives the total cost?
A) 6 + 2 x 3 + 1
B) (6 + 2) x (3 + 1)
C) 6 x 2 + 3 x 1
D) 6 x (2 + 3) x 1
Pencils cost 6 x 2 = $12 and erasers cost 3 x 1 = $3, summed by 6 x 2 + 3 x 1.
4. Evaluate: 4 x (10 - 2) / 8
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
10 - 2 equals 8, then 4 x 8 equals 32, and 32 / 8 equals 4 by PEMDAS rules.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Evaluate: 18 / (3 + 6) x 2 = 4
3 + 6 equals 9, then 18 / 9 equals 2, and 2 x 2 equals 4 following PEMDAS.
2. Tom has $20 and buys 3 books at $4 each. The expression $20 - 3 x 4 equals 8
3 x 4 equals 12, and 20 - 12 equals 8, so Tom has $8 left after the books.
3. Evaluate: (8 + 4) / 2 - 1 = 5
8 + 4 equals 12, then 12 / 2 equals 6, and 6 - 1 equals 5.
4. Evaluate: 5 x 6 - (8 + 2) = 20
8 + 2 equals 10, then 5 x 6 equals 30, and 30 - 10 equals 20.
5. Evaluate: 36 / (2 x 3) + 4 = 10
2 x 3 equals 6, then 36 / 6 equals 6, and 6 + 4 equals 10 by PEMDAS.