Grade 4 Order of Operations

Mission 1: The Golden Rule • Parentheses First!

Grade 4 Math

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Directions Solve inside the Parentheses ( ) FIRST! Follow the guided V-funnel arrows below. Calculate what is inside the parentheses on Step 1, then finish with multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction on Step 2.

💡 The P-MDAS Golden Rule: 1. Parentheses ( ) ➔ 2. Multiply × or Divide ÷ (left-to-right) ➔ 3. Add + or Subtract - (left-to-right).

1

(6 + 2) × 5

▼ [ 8 ] × 5

Final Answer:

2

(25 - 9) ÷ 4

▼ [ 16 ] ÷ 4

Final Answer:

3

7 × (9 - 6)

▼ 7 × [ ___ ]

Final Answer:

4

36 ÷ (11 - 2)

▼ 36 ÷ [ ___ ]

Final Answer:

5

12 + (3 × 4)

▼ 12 + [ ___ ]

Final Answer:

6

40 - (18 ÷ 3)

▼ 40 - [ ___ ]

Final Answer:

Grade 4 Order of Operations

Mission 2: Parentheses Power-Up • Compare & Calculate

Grade 4 Math

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Directions Part A: See the Difference! Notice how parentheses completely change the result. Solve both sides to compare. Part B: Independent Drill! Solve each problem step-by-step. Remember: single-digit multipliers and divisors only!

⚡ Watch Out: Without parentheses, multiplication/division goes first. With parentheses, the inside operation ALWAYS goes first!

Set 1: Addition & Multiplication Compare!

No Parentheses: 4 + 5 × 2 4 + 10 = 14

With Parentheses: (4 + 5) × 2 9 × 2 = 18

Set 2: Subtraction & Division Compare!

No Parentheses: 20 - 8 ÷ 2 20 - 4 = 16

With Parentheses: (20 - 8) ÷ 2 12 ÷ 2 = 6

#1

(8 + 4) ÷ 2

Step 1: 12 ÷ 2

=

#2

9 × (8 - 3)

Step 1: 9 × 5

=

#3

(30 - 6) ÷ 4

Step 1: 24 ÷ 4

=

#4

5 + (6 × 3)

Step 1: 5 + 18

=

#5

(14 + 10) ÷ 3

Step 1: 24 ÷ 3

=

#6

8 × (2 + 4)

Step 1: 8 × 6

=

Grade 4 Order of Operations

Mission 3: Parentheses Detective & Real-World Word Problems

Grade 4 Math

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Directions Part A: Insert Parentheses! Place ( ) around the correct two numbers to make the equation true. Part B: Word Problems! Write a mathematical expression using parentheses, then solve.

🔍 Part A: Parentheses Detective (Insert ( ) to Make the Target True)

1 3 + 4 × 5

Target Answer: = 35

2 24 ÷ 8 - 2

Target Answer: = 4

3 16 - 7 × 3

Target Answer: = 27

4 45 ÷ 14 - 5

Target Answer: = 5

Problem 1: Maya's Fruit Gift Baskets

Maya packed 4 red apples and 5 green apples into each gift basket. She prepared 3 baskets in total. Write an expression with parentheses to find the total number of apples, then solve!

Expression: Total Apples:

Problem 2: Coach Sam's Soccer Practice

Coach Sam had 32 soccer balls. He kept 8 damaged balls aside for repair and divided all the remaining balls equally among 4 practice drills. Write an expression with parentheses, then solve!

Expression: Balls per Drill:

Grade 4 Order of Operations

Educator Guide & Complete Answer Key

Answer Key

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🔑 VERIFIED STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTIONS & DEPED MATATAG STANDARDS

Mission 1: V-Funnel Solutions (Parentheses First)

1. (6 + 2) × 5 = 8 × 5 = 40

2. (25 - 9) ÷ 4 = 16 ÷ 4 = 4

3. 7 × (9 - 6) = 7 × 3 = 21

4. 36 ÷ (11 - 2) = 36 ÷ 9 = 4

5. 12 + (3 × 4) = 12 + 12 = 24

6. 40 - (18 ÷ 3) = 40 - 6 = 34

Mission 2: Independent Drill Solutions

#1. (8 + 4) ÷ 2 = 12 ÷ 2 = 6

#2. 9 × (8 - 3) = 9 × 5 = 45

#3. (30 - 6) ÷ 4 = 24 ÷ 4 = 6

#4. 5 + (6 × 3) = 5 + 18 = 23

#5. (14 + 10) ÷ 3 = 24 ÷ 3 = 8

#6. 8 × (2 + 4) = 8 × 6 = 48

Mission 3: Detective & Word Problem Solutions

Part A: Parentheses Placement:

• 1. (3 + 4) × 5 = 7 × 5 = 35
• 2. 24 ÷ (8 - 2) = 24 ÷ 6 = 4
• 3. (16 - 7) × 3 = 9 × 3 = 27
• 4. 45 ÷ (14 - 5) = 45 ÷ 9 = 5

Part B: Word Problems:

• Problem 1: Expression = (4 + 5) × 3 ➔ 9 × 3 = 27 apples
• Problem 2: Expression = (32 - 8) ÷ 4 ➔ 24 ÷ 4 = 6 balls per drill

Grade 4 Math Competency Rubric (DepEd MATATAG M4NS-IIIf-84)

Skill Level	Observed Behavior	Tutorial Intervention
Mastery (85%–100%)	Always simplifies inside parentheses first; accurately performs single-digit multiplication and division.	Introduce multi-step expressions with three operations and nested brackets.
Developing (60%–84%)	Understands parentheses rule but makes occasional arithmetic errors during multiplication or subtraction.	Review 1-to-10 basic multiplication facts; practice highlighting parentheses in yellow.
Beginning (<60%)	Calculates strictly from left to right, ignoring parentheses grouping symbols.	Use physical brackets/manipulatives to physically isolate the first step before computing.