Stage 9 · Mixed operations
Order of operations
× and ÷ before + and −.
How to do it
Method
× and ÷ before + and −
3 + 4 × 5 = 3 + 20 = 23
One more example
Same level, left to right: 20 − 6 + 4 = 14 + 4 = 18
In full
Multiply and divide before you add and subtract; same-level operations go left to right. 3 + 4 × 5 = 3 + 20 = 23, not 35. Scan the whole line first, spot the × and ÷, settle those, then finish.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
18 + 3 × 3
Show the answer and working
Answer: 18 + 3 × 3 = 27
18 + 3 × 3: × and ÷ before + and −, 3 × 3 = 9, 18 + 9 = 27
Example 2
18 + 5 × 9
Show the answer and working
Answer: 18 + 5 × 9 = 63
18 + 5 × 9: × and ÷ before + and −, 5 × 9 = 45, 18 + 45 = 63
Example 3
14 + 4 × 9
Show the answer and working
Answer: 14 + 4 × 9 = 50
14 + 4 × 9: × and ÷ before + and −, 4 × 9 = 36, 14 + 36 = 50
Example 4
12 + 2 × 8
Show the answer and working
Answer: 12 + 2 × 8 = 28
12 + 2 × 8: × and ÷ before + and −, 2 × 8 = 16, 12 + 16 = 28
Practise order of operations in the game →Stage 9 · Mixed operations · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download