Free printable practice
Order Operations Add Sub 5 Practice Activities
Printable Class 3 maths worksheets for solving longer addition and subtraction expressions in the correct left-to-right order.
Practice that builds confidence
What this skill teaches
These Class 3 mathematics worksheets help children practise the order of operations when an expression contains only addition and subtraction. Learners see that these two operations have the same priority, so they solve from left to right unless brackets are shown.
The printable activities include clear number sentences, step-by-step working spaces, and mixed add-subtract practice such as 18 - 6 + 4 - 3 + 2. Children build accuracy, mental maths confidence, and the habit of checking each step before writing the final answer.
In this Order Operations Add Sub 5 collection, children work with longer addition and subtraction strings rather than isolated sums. The main idea is simple but important: when only + and - appear, solve in the order the operations are written, from left to right. For example, 15 - 5 + 3 is worked as 10 + 3, not by adding first. This prepares learners for later order-of-operations work with brackets, multiplication, and division.
Progression in the worksheets
The activities move from easier expressions with familiar numbers to longer mixed expressions that need careful tracking. Children may rewrite each step on the next line, circle the operation they are doing, or show a running total. This supports Class 3 learners who can add and subtract but may lose their place in a five-part number sentence.
A simple parent routine
Ask your child to read the whole expression aloud first. Then cover everything after the first two numbers and operation, solve that part, and bring down the next operation and number. For 24 - 8 + 6 - 5, say: “24 minus 8 is 16; 16 plus 6 is 22; 22 minus 5 is 17.” Encourage your child to point to each symbol as they speak so the written order matches the thinking order.
Classroom uses for teachers
Teachers can use these printables for independent practice after introducing left-to-right order, as maths notebook tasks, or as quick checks during an Order of Operations lesson. They also work well for pair discussion: one child solves while the other checks whether any step has skipped ahead. The worksheets give visible evidence of whether a learner understands the rule or is only guessing the final answer.
Common errors to watch for
Many children think addition must always come before subtraction because adding feels easier. Others copy the numbers correctly but change the operation sign, especially in longer expressions. Watch for answers that come from grouping all additions together and all subtractions together. Remind children that in these expressions, the position of each + or - sign decides the next move.
Free printable PDF download
Use this Class 3 order of operations addition subtraction worksheet page to preview the activity, print it, or download it as a PDF for quick practice. It works well for homework, homeschool lessons, tutoring, morning work, revision, and classroom centers.
Answers and answer key support
After the child completes the worksheet independently, parents and teachers can use the answer support or answer key information to check the work, review mistakes, and choose the next practice step.
Why iBloom worksheets help
iBloom worksheets keep the layout clean so children focus on sequence, symbols, and working steps. A child-friendly strategy is: “Start on the left, do one sign, write the new number, then move to the next sign.” This turns a long expression into a chain of small, manageable calculations.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What rule do these worksheets practise?
They practise solving expressions that contain only addition and subtraction. Since both operations have the same priority, children work from left to right.
Is addition done before subtraction in these activities?
No. In these worksheets, addition and subtraction are handled in the order they appear. For example, `20 - 7 + 4` is solved as `13 + 4`, not by adding 7 and 4 first.
Why are longer add-subtract expressions useful for Class 3?
Longer expressions help children build attention to symbols, sequence, and intermediate results. This makes later order-of-operations topics easier to understand.
How can I help my child if they keep losing track?
Ask them to point to one operation at a time, write the new answer after each step, and then bring down the next sign and number before continuing.
Do these worksheets include multiplication or division?
This page focuses on addition and subtraction order only. It is best used before moving on to expressions that include multiplication, division, or brackets.
Is this Class 3 order of operations addition subtraction worksheet free?
Yes. You can preview it for free and use the printable worksheet for home or classroom practice.
Can I download this Class 3 order of operations addition subtraction worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Use the worksheet download option to save a printable PDF, or print the worksheet directly from the page.
Does this Class 3 order of operations addition subtraction worksheet include answers or an answer key?
When the activity has fixed answers, iBloom includes answer support so parents and teachers can check the completed worksheet.