Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 6
Use knowledge of the order of operations to solve equations
I can use my knowledge of the order of operations to write equations and to complete equations with missing numbers or operations.
- Year 6
Use knowledge of the order of operations to solve equations
I can use my knowledge of the order of operations to write equations and to complete equations with missing numbers or operations.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When there are no brackets, multiplication and division are completed before addition and subtraction.
- Where there is a common factor, the other factors can be added or subtracted before the final multiplication.
- Where there is a common divisor, the dividends can be added or subtracted before the final division.
- Any part of an equation that is in brackets should be calculated first.
- In an equation, powers have priority over multiplication and division.
Keywords
Order of operations - The distributive law says that multiplying a number by a group of numbers added together is the same as doing each multiplication separately.
Distributive law - The order of operations is a set of rules that tell you which operations have priority over others in an equation.
Common misconception
Children may forget to use the order of operations and revert back to working from left to right.
Encourage them to identify all the operations in an equation before they begin to solve it so that they can apply their knowledge of the order of operations.
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Use knowledge of the order of operations to solve equations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Use knowledge of the order of operations to solve equations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Order of operations unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.For the following equation, which operation should we undertake first? 29 + 34 − 3 × 4 =

Q2.Match the square numbers to the correct expression.
$$4^2$$ -
16
$$8^2$$ -
64
$$10^2$$ -
100
$$12^2$$ -
144
Q3.Match the equivalent equations.
2 + 5 × 5 = -
2 + 25 =
(2 + 8) × 3 = -
10 × 3 =
(6 − 2) × 9 = -
4 × 9 =
Q4.Tick the greatest equation.
Q5.Match the equations to the correct solutions.
5 + 18 ÷ 2 = -
14
(12 + 13) ÷ 5 = -
5
36 + 10 ÷ 2 = -
41
(30 + 30) ÷ 10 = -
6
Q6.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.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.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.
Q2.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? £
Q3.What is the missing number? + $$2^3$$ = 21
Q4. Match the missing numbers with the correct equation.
8 + ___ × 2 = 12 -
2
5 × ___ − 7 = 8 -
3
___ ÷ 2 + 6 = 10 -
8
Q5.Solve the equation. $$6^2$$ − 5 × 4 =
Q6.Match the expressions to their results.
5 + 5 + 5 + 5 -
20
5 + 5 × 5 + 5 -
35
(5 + 5) × 5 + 5 -
55
(5 + 5) × 5 ÷ 5 -
10
(5 + 5 + 5) ÷ 5 -
3