Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 7
Priority of operations with positive integers
I can calculate using priority of operations, including brackets, powers and exponents with positive integers
- Year 7
Priority of operations with positive integers
I can calculate using priority of operations, including brackets, powers and exponents with positive integers
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Division and multiplication have the same priority.
- With addition and subtraction, subtractions can all be re-written as additions of the additive inverse.
- Brackets can make the priority much clearer and avoid ambiguity.
- Sometimes brackets can be implicit.
Keywords
Additive inverse - The additive inverse of a number is a number that, when added to the original number, gives the sum of 0.
Commutative - An operation is commutative if the values it is operating on can be written in either order without changing the calculation.
Common misconception
Students do not see the implicit brackets. Eg. Sqrt(49 + 36) is not sqrt(49) + sqrt(36)
Look for extended lines or operations which indicate an implicit brackets.
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Priority of operations with positive integers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Priority of operations with positive integers, 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 3 maths lessons from the Arithmetic procedures with integers and decimals unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the statement. The additive inverse of a number is a number that, __________
Q2.Match each number with its additive inverse.
4 -
(-4)
(-40) -
40
0.4 -
(-0.4)
(-400) -
400
Q3.Select all the fractions that are equivalent to $${2} \over {3}$$.
Q4.Match each calculation with an equivalent commutative calculation.
$$A + B $$ -
$$B + A$$
$$A\times B$$ -
$$B\times A$$
$$A + B + C$$ -
$$B + C + A$$
Q5.Work out the missing number: $$9.8 \times 0.5 + 9.8 \times$$ $$= 9.8$$
Q6.Work out the missing number: $$34 \times 0.8 + 34 \times$$ $$= 68$$
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This image is a help guide to the priority of operations. Which set of operations must you always apply first when they are in a calculation?

Q2.How would you complete a calculation when an operation is repeated?
Q3.Without using a calculator, work out: $$4\times5 + 6\times7$$ =
Q4.Without using a calculator, work out: $$200\;-(12\;–\;8)\times5\times3^2$$ =
Q5.The answer to this calculation is 54. Match the triangle, star, square and arrow to the correct operation or numerical value.

$$\star$$ -
+
$$\triangle$$ -
$$\times$$
$$\square$$ -
$$-$$
$$\uparrow$$ -
2