Numerical Expressions — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Write an expression: Subtract 9 from 15, then multiply by 7. Answer: (15 − 9) × 7
The words say subtract first, so (15 − 9) goes in parentheses to be calculated before multiplying by 7.
2. Evaluate: (15 − 9) × 7 = 42
First solve inside the parentheses: 15 − 9 = 6. Then multiply: 6 × 7 = 42.
3. Write an expression: Add 8 and 12, then divide by 10. Answer: (8 + 12) ÷ 10
The addition of 8 and 12 must be grouped in parentheses so it happens before the division by 10.
4. Evaluate: (8 + 12) ÷ 10 = 2
First solve inside the parentheses: 8 + 12 = 20. Then divide: 20 ÷ 10 = 2.
5. Write an expression: Multiply 7 by 6, then subtract 22. Answer: (7 × 6) − 22
Parentheses around (7 × 6) ensure the multiplication is done first, and then 22 is subtracted from the product.
6. Evaluate: (7 × 6) − 22 = 20
First solve inside the parentheses: 7 × 6 = 42. Then subtract: 42 − 22 = 20.
7. Write an expression: Divide 45 by 9, then add 15. Answer: (45 ÷ 9) + 15
The division 45 ÷ 9 goes in parentheses so it is completed first, and then 15 is added to the quotient.
8. Evaluate: (45 ÷ 9) + 15 = 20
First solve inside the parentheses: 45 ÷ 9 = 5. Then add: 5 + 15 = 20.
9. Evaluate: (16 − 4) × (18 ÷ 6) = 36
Solve each set of parentheses first: 16 − 4 = 12 and 18 ÷ 6 = 3. Then multiply: 12 × 3 = 36.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Subtract 3 from 11, then multiply by 5
→ (11 − 3) × 5
(4 × 8) − 12
Add 9 and 6, then divide by 3
→ (9 + 6) ÷ 3
(30 ÷ 5) + 14
Multiply 4 by 8, then subtract 12
→ (4 × 8) − 12
(11 − 3) × 5
Divide 30 by 5, then add 14
→ (30 ÷ 5) + 14
(9 + 6) ÷ 3
Correct matches: Subtract 3 from 11, then multiply by 5 → (11 − 3) × 5; Add 9 and 6, then divide by 3 → (9 + 6) ÷ 3; Multiply 4 by 8, then subtract 12 → (4 × 8) − 12; Divide 30 by 5, then add 14 → (30 ÷ 5) + 14.