Grade 7, Operations

Order of operations with integers

Work out expressions with positive and negative numbers in the right order, with and without brackets.

Three levels

One skill, rising difficulty

Each sheet carries one level. The three are the same skill at rising difficulty, each named for what it practises.

Level 1: Two operations
Multiply and divide first, from left to right. Then add and subtract, from left to right. Brackets around one negative number, like (−8), only hold its sign.
Level 2: With brackets
Do the brackets first. Then multiply and divide, from left to right. Then add and subtract, from left to right. Brackets around one negative number, like (−8), only hold its sign.
Level 3: Three operations
Do the brackets first. Then multiply and divide, from left to right. Then add and subtract, from left to right. Brackets around one negative number, like (−8), only hold its sign.

Worked example

How the sheet explains it

The helper printed at the top of each sheet: one solved example and the steps a student follows, before the first question. Every number sentence in it is proven by the same checker as the answer key.

Level 1: Two operations

−24 ÷ 4 × (−2) = 12

  1. Multiply and divide go from left to right, so divide first: −24 ÷ 4 = −6.
  2. Then multiply. Same signs give a positive: −6 × (−2) = 12.

Level 2: With brackets

(−4 + 10) ÷ (−3) = −2

  1. Brackets first: −4 + 10 = 6.
  2. Then divide. Different signs give a negative: 6 ÷ (−3) = −2.

Level 3: Three operations

14 − 3 × (2 − 6) = 26

  1. Brackets first: 2 − 6 = −4.
  2. Then multiply. Different signs give a negative: 3 × (−4) = −12.
  3. Then subtract, by adding the opposite: 14 − (−12) = 14 + 12 = 26.

Goes with

Reference sheets

One-page helpers a student keeps beside this sheet:

  • Order of operations
  • Integers

Every reference, facts and support sheet is listed in the worksheet catalogue.

In the BC curriculum

Content standards

The British Columbia content standard this skill is written for, by the codes used across this site:

  • bc.math.7.c.2

The wording of each standard is on the Province's mathematics curriculum page.

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