About Our Order of Operations Worksheets
Order of operations — often remembered as PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) — tells students which part of an expression to calculate first. Without it, 3 + 4 × 2 could equal 14 or 10 depending on the order. Our worksheets build this skill in three levels: no parentheses, with parentheses, and three-operation problems.
These worksheets use addition, subtraction, and multiplication so students can focus on learning the order rules rather than struggling with computation. Each download generates a fresh set of randomized expressions with whole-number answers. Problems are formatted horizontally (N. expression = ___) with an included answer key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PEMDAS stand for?
PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. It is a memory device for the order of operations: always work inside parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division (left to right), then addition and subtraction (left to right). A common mnemonic is 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.'
Why does order of operations matter?
Without a standard order, the same expression can give different answers depending on which operation you do first. For example, 3 + 4 × 2 equals 14 if you multiply first (3 + 8) or 10 if you add first (7 × 2). Order of operations gives everyone the same result: 14. This consistency is essential for algebra, science, and any field that uses mathematical formulas.
When is order of operations introduced?
Order of operations is typically introduced in 5th grade and reinforced throughout 6th grade. Students usually start with expressions involving only multiplication and addition/subtraction (no parentheses), then progress to expressions with parentheses, and eventually work with all six levels of PEMDAS including exponents.