Grade 6 · Mathematics
Choosing the order of operations in Grade 6
Your child evaluates expressions in an agreed order so everyone gets the same result.
Where this sits in the year
One skill in the Grade 6 constellation
A practical map of the math skills learners build through Grade 6. Exact timing varies by curriculum.
How it's taught now
Students use grouping symbols and operation properties, explaining which calculation must happen first and why.
Three mistakes to watch for
Working strictly from left to right.
Adding before completing multiplication or division.
Ignoring brackets and grouping symbols.
A worked example
Evaluate 8 + 3 × 4.
Multiplication comes before addition, so calculate 3 × 4 first.
Answer: 20
Try this together
Would 10 + 2 × 3 buy the same number of items as (10 + 2) × 3?
Give them a moment to talk it through. The explanation matters more than a quick answer.