Order of operations for the 11 plus

There is an agreed order. Brackets first. Then powers. Then multiplication and division, which are equal, so left to right. Then addition and subtraction, also left to right. So 6 plus 4 times 3: the multiplication goes first. 4 times 3 is 12. Then 6 plus 12. 18.

20 take 3 times, in brackets, 2 plus 2. Brackets first: 4. Then 3 times 4 is 12. Then 20 take 12 is 8.

The trap is going from left to right like reading. 6 plus 4 is 10, times 3 is 30. That is a different sum. Also, divide and multiply are equals. 24 divided by 4 times 2 is 12, not 3.

Part of the Arithmetic topics for the 11+.

• 2.1Mental addition and subtractionRound to a friendly number, then adjust
• 2.2Column additionCarry the ten, every time
• 2.3Column subtractionHow to borrow from a zero
• 2.4Multiplication tablesBuild the facts you cannot remember
• 2.5Short multiplicationMultiply first, then add the carry
• 2.6Long multiplicationTwo small jobs and one zero
• 2.7DivisionEvery digit needs an answer above it

Every 11 plus maths topic