The distributive law says that multiplying a number by a group of numbers added together is the same as doing each multiplication separately.

The order of operations is a set of rules that tell you which operations have priority over others in an equation.

Use knowledge of the order of operations to solve equations

Maths

In this unit pupils will explain how addition and subtraction can help to solve multiplication and division problems efficiently. They will learn how the distributive law applies to division expressions with a common divisor and using the distributive law to solve equations. In the future unit pupils will use priority of operations with positive and integers and decimals.

In the prior unit pupils explained the use of the commutative and associative laws when multiplying 3 or more numbers. In this unit pupils will explain how addition and subtraction can help solve multiplication and division problems. They will learn how the distributive law applies to division expressions with a common divisor and use their knowledge of the distributive law to solve equations. 

Order of operations

Tennis balls are stored in packs of four. Jun has 12 balls to put away and Sam has 16 balls to put away. How many packs are put away in total? {{ }} packs are put away. 

Sam buys six chocolate eggs at £2 each. A week later, the same eggs are reduced to £1.50 each. How much would Sam have saved if she had bought the eggs a week later? £{{ }}

What is the missing number? {{ }} + $$2^3$$ = 21

 Match the missing numbers with the correct equation. 

Solve the equation. $$6^2$$ − 5 × 4 = {{ }}

For the following equation, which operation should we undertake first? 29 + 34 − 3 × 4 =

Match the square numbers to the correct expression.

Match the equations to the correct solutions. 

There are six tables in a classroom. Sam shares out 18 workbooks equally and Jun shares out 12 textbooks equally. How many books are there on each table? There are {{ }} books.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Use knowledge of the order of operations to solve equations

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.