Order of operations

Which part of a sum do you do first? Brackets, then multiply and divide, then add and subtract. Read one step, play with it, then tap “I understand this”.

Your progress0 of 5

Why the order matters

What is 4 + 6 × 2? If you work from the left, you get 20. But the right answer is 16, because multiplying comes first: 6 × 2 = 12, and 4 + 12 = 16.

Meerkat tip

Everyone in the world uses the same order, so that everyone gets the same answer.

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The rule

Brackets first ( ).
Then multiply and divide, from left to right.
Then add and subtract, from left to right.

Rule

Multiply and divide are equally important: do whichever comes first (on the left). The same with add and subtract.

Why does multiplying come before adding?

Multiplying is a shortcut for repeated adding: 6 × 2 is a packet of 6 + 6. In 4 + 6 × 2 the packet must be finished first: 4 + 12 = 16.

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Watch it step by step

Play · Step through it

The solver

Tap “Next step”. The yellow part is done first.

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Practise

Game

What is the answer?

Watch out for the left-to-right trap!

Correct: 0

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Brackets change the answer

Without4 + 6 × 2 = 16

With(4 + 6) × 2 = 20

Watch out

Computers and some calculators follow the rule; a simple calculator might not. Always work it out yourself.

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Check yourself

Remember this: your summary

Brackets first.
Then multiply and divide, from left to right.
Then add and subtract, from left to right.
4 + 6 × 2 = 16, not 20.

Write these points in your maths book. Read them again the night before the test.

Quiz

Quick questions

Tap an answer. If you get one wrong, read why and go back to that step. You get new questions every time.

You ticked all 5 steps! Now you are ready for the quiz.

Free PDF to downloadPrint the practice sheet and practise on paper. The memo is on page 2: try on your own first.

Practice sheet for this classQuestions + memo · 2 A4 pagesPractice sheet
Numbers16 pages · PDFPaper Memo

All 14 free Grade 6 maths papers →

Ready for more? The Grade 6 order of operations quiz gives you new sums every time.

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For parents

One step a day is enough. Ten calm minutes work better than an hour the night before the test.
Write a sum like 3 + 4 × 5 on paper and ask the whole family: who gets 23 and who 35? Let your child explain the rule.
Ask your child to tell you the rule in their own words. If they can explain it, they understand it.
The ticks (“I understand this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.

Follows CAPS for Grade 6 Maths. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.