Free printable practice
Order Of Operations Practice Activities
Printable maths practice for using BODMAS to solve numerical expressions in the correct order.
Practice that builds confidence
What children learn
These order of operations worksheets help children practise reading a maths expression carefully and deciding what to calculate first. Learners work with the BODMAS idea: brackets first, then orders where included, followed by division and multiplication from left to right, and addition and subtraction from left to right.
The printable activities include clear numerical expressions, step-by-step practice, and mixed questions that require children to slow down and apply the rule rather than simply work from the first number to the last. They are useful for revision, homework, extra practice, and classroom maths groups.
Order of operations teaches children that the same numbers can give different answers depending on the order in which operations are carried out. In this topic, they practise treating an expression as a set of instructions. For example, in an expression with addition and multiplication, multiplication is completed before addition unless brackets change the order.
Building the BODMAS habit
The worksheets move children towards a reliable routine: scan for brackets, look for any orders if they are present, solve division and multiplication from left to right, then solve addition and subtraction from left to right. This is especially important because many errors happen when children think multiplication always comes before division, or addition always comes before subtraction. The left-to-right rule within the same level is part of the skill.
A simple parent routine
At home, ask your child to read one expression aloud before solving it. Then have them underline the part to calculate first, write the new shorter expression, and continue one line at a time. Avoid rushing to the final answer. If a mistake appears, ask, “Which operation did you choose first, and why?” This keeps the focus on reasoning, not guessing.
Classroom uses for teachers
Teachers can use these pages for maths warm-ups, independent practice, remediation, or small-group centres. One helpful approach is to give pairs of students two similar expressions, such as one with brackets and one without, and ask them to compare why the answers differ. The sheets also work well for checking whether pupils understand the rule or are only following memorised shortcuts.
Common errors to watch for
Children may calculate strictly from left to right even when multiplication or division should be done first. Others may remove brackets too early, skip a written step, or change signs while copying. Encourage neat vertical working, one changed part per line, and careful recopying of the untouched parts of the expression.
Free printable PDF download
Use this order of operations 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
These iBloom worksheets give focused practice on one important maths habit: choosing the correct order before calculating. The layout supports step-by-step working, while mixed examples help children apply BODMAS flexibly. A child-friendly strategy is: “Bracket, Order, Divide or Multiply left to right, Add or Subtract left to right—then check if the expression is shorter each time.”
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What does BODMAS mean in these worksheets?
BODMAS reminds children to solve Brackets first, then Orders where included, then Division and Multiplication from left to right, and finally Addition and Subtraction from left to right.
Why is left-to-right order important in order of operations?
Division and multiplication have the same priority, so they are solved in the order they appear from left to right. The same is true for addition and subtraction.
How should my child show working for these problems?
Encourage your child to change only one part of the expression at a time, write the new expression on the next line, and keep all unchanged numbers and signs copied correctly.
Are brackets included in this practice?
Yes, the practice is designed around order of operations, including the role of brackets in changing which part of an expression is solved first.
What is a common mistake in BODMAS questions?
A common mistake is solving every expression from left to right without checking whether brackets, multiplication, or division should be handled before addition or subtraction.
Is this order of operations worksheet free?
Yes. You can preview it for free and use the printable worksheet for home or classroom practice.
Can I download this order of operations 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 order of operations 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.