MATHEMATICS TUTORIAL SESSION
PEMDAS: The Order of Operations
A Differentiated One-Day Lesson for Two Learners
Learner Input Sheet — Benjamin (Grade 4)
What is PEMDAS?
When a math problem has more than one operation, we cannot just solve it from left to right.
Mathematicians all over the world agreed to follow one order, called the Order of Operations, so
that everyone gets the same, correct answer. We remember this order using the word PEMDAS.
Letter Stands For What It Means Example
Solve what is inside ( ), [ ], or
P Parentheses (3 + 2) → solve 3 + 2 first
{ } first
Solve powers (like 3² = 3 × 3)
E Exponents 4² → 4 × 4 = 16
next
Multiplication & Do these together, from left to 8 ÷ 2 × 3 → (8÷2) first = 4,
MD
Division right — whichever comes first then 4×3=12
Addition & Do these together, from left to 10 − 4 + 2 → (10−4) first =
AS
Subtraction right — whichever comes first 6, then 6+2=8
💡 Memory Trick: "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" — the first letter of each word matches P-E-M-D-A-
S!
Why Does Order Matter?
Look at 2 + 3 × 4:
• Wrong way (left to right): 2 + 3 = 5, then 5 × 4 = 20 ✗
• Correct way (PEMDAS): multiply first → 3 × 4 = 12, then add → 2 + 12 = 14 ✓
Only one of these is correct — and PEMDAS tells us which one!
Worked Examples
Example 1: (6 + 2) × 3 Example 2: 5 + 2² × 3 Example 3: 20 ÷ (3 + 2) − 1
1. Parentheses first: 6 + 2 1. Exponent first: 2² = 4 1. Parentheses first: 3 + 2 = 5
=8
2. Now we have: 5 + 4 × 3 2. Now we have: 20 ÷ 5 − 1
2. Now we have: 8 × 3 =
24 3. Multiplication next: 4 × 3 = 3. Division next: 20 ÷ 5 = 4
12
Final Answer: 24 4. Subtraction last: 4 − 1 = 3
4. Now we have: 5 + 12
Final Answer: 3
5. Addition last: 5 + 12 = 17
Final Answer: 1
💡 Tip: Always rewrite the whole expression after each step. This helps you avoid losing track of numbers!
Worksheet — Benjamin (Grade 4) Date: ______________
Activity 1 — PEMDAS Order Detective
Directions: You are a detective! For each expression, do NOT solve it yet. Just write numbers (1, 2,
3...) above each operation to show the ORDER in which you would solve it. Item 1 is done for you.
Example: (4 + 1) × 2 − 3 → order: (4+1) is 1st, × is 2nd, − is 3rd
1. 6 + 3 × 2 ______________________________________________________________________
2. (8 − 5) × 4_____________________________________________________________________
3. 10 ÷ 2 + 3 × 2 ___________________________________________________________________
4. 3² + 4 × 2 _____________________________________________________________________
5. (2 + 3) × (6 − 4) _________________________________________________________________
Activity 2 — Step-by-Step Solver
Directions: Solve each expression. Show every step on the lines provided (write the new, shorter
expression after each step, just like in the examples).
1. 5 + 3 × 2
Final Answer: _______________________________________
2. (7 − 2) × 3
Final Answer: _______________________________________
3. 18 ÷ (2 + 4)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
4. 4² − 5
Final Answer: _______________________________________
5. 6 + 12 ÷ 3 − 1
Final Answer: _______________________________________
6. (9 − 4) × 2 + 3²
Final Answer: _______________________________________
Activity 3 — PEMDAS Word Problems
Directions: Read each problem carefully. Write the number sentence (expression), then solve using
PEMDAS.
1. Maria buys 3 packs of pencils with 4 pencils in each pack, plus 2 extra pencils. How many
pencils does she have in all?
Number sentence:
Final Answer: _______________________________________
2. A classroom has 5 tables. Each table seats 4 students. If 6 students are absent today, how many
students are actually seated?
Number sentence:
Final Answer: _______________________________________
3. Dad bought 2 boxes of eggs with 12 eggs each. He used 5 eggs for breakfast. How many eggs
are left?
Number sentence:
Final Answer: _______________________________________
Activity 4 — Quick Check Quiz (Assessment)
Directions: Answer independently. Show your solution for each item.
1. 8 + 2 × 5
Final Answer: _______________________________________
2. (6 + 4) ÷ 2
Final Answer: _______________________________________
3. 3² + 6 ÷ 3
Final Answer: _______________________________________
4. (10 − 4) × 2 − 5
Final Answer: _______________________________________
5. Jenny had 4 bags of marbles with 6 marbles each. She gave away 9 marbles. How many marbles
does she have left? Write the number sentence and solve.
Final Answer: _______________________________________
Bonus Challenge (Optional)
Solve: 2 × (3 + 4)² − 10 ÷ 5 (Hint: solve the parentheses, then the exponent, before multiplying.)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
MATHEMATICS TUTORIAL SESSION
PEMDAS: The Order of Operations
A Differentiated One-Day Lesson for Two Learners
Learner Input Sheet — Brandon (Grade 6)
Quick Review: PEMDAS
You have already met PEMDAS before — it is the order we follow when a problem has more than
one operation:
• P — Parentheses (grouping symbols) first
• E — Exponents next
• MD — Multiplication and Division, left to right
• AS — Addition and Subtraction, left to right
Today, we add a new layer: solving PEMDAS problems that include integers — positive and negative
numbers.
Rules of Operations on Integers
Operation Rule Example
Same signs: add the numbers, keep the
sign. Different signs: subtract the
(−3) + (−5) = −8 (−7) + 4 = −3 7 +
Addition smaller absolute value from the larger;
(−4) = 3
keep the sign of the number with the
bigger absolute value.
"Keep–Change–Change": Keep the first
number, change subtraction to addition, 5 − (−3) → 5 + (+3) = 8 (−6) − 4 →
Subtraction
change the sign of the second number. (−6) + (−4) = −10
Then follow the addition rule above.
Same signs → positive answer.
Multiplication (−4) × (−3) = 12 (−4) × 3 = −12
Different signs → negative answer.
Same signs → positive answer.
Division Different signs → negative answer. (−12) ÷ (−4) = 3 12 ÷ (−4) = −3
(Same rule as multiplication.)
💡 Memory Trick: For multiplying and dividing — "Same signs, positive. Different signs, negative."
Putting It Together: PEMDAS with Integers
The order of operations (PEMDAS) still applies exactly the same way — we are simply more careful
now because integers can flip signs at each step. Always rewrite the full expression after each step
so you don't lose track of a negative sign.
Worked Example 1: (−2 + 5) × 3
1. Parentheses first: −2 + 5 = 3 (different signs → subtract, keep sign of bigger value)
2. Now we have: 3 × 3 = 9
Final Answer: 9
Worked Example 2: −3² + 8 ÷ (−4)
1. Exponent first: −3² means −(3 × 3) = −9 (note: only the 3 is squared, not the negative sign,
since there is no parenthesis around −3)
2. Now we have: −9 + 8 ÷ (−4)
3. Division next: 8 ÷ (−4) = −2 (different signs → negative)
4. Now we have: −9 + (−2)
5. Addition last: −9 + (−2) = −11 (same signs → add, keep sign)
Final Answer: −11
Worked Example 3: (−6 − 2) ÷ (−4) × 5
1. Parentheses first: −6 − 2 → −6 + (−2) = −8 (Keep-Change-Change, then same-sign addition)
2. Now we have: −8 ÷ (−4) × 5
3. Division and multiplication, left to right: −8 ÷ (−4) = 2 (same signs → positive)
4. Now we have: 2 × 5 = 10
Final Answer: 10
💡 Common mistake to avoid: −3² is NOT the same as (−3)². In −3², only 3 is squared, giving −9. In (−3)²,
the whole −3 is squared, giving +9. Watch for parentheses around a negative number!
Worksheet — Brandon (Grade 6) Date: ______________
Activity 1 — Integer Rules Warm-Up
Directions: Apply the correct integer rule to solve each item. No PEMDAS mixing yet — just
practice the basic rules first.
1. (−7) + (−5) = ______________
2. 9 + (−13) = ______________
3. (−6) − 4 = ______________
4. 8 − (−3) = ______________
5. (−9) × 3 = ______________
6. (−8) × (−6) = ______________
7. (−24) ÷ 6 = ______________
8. (−45) ÷ (−9) = ______________
Activity 2 — PEMDAS Meets Integers
Directions: Solve each expression using PEMDAS. Show every step, rewriting the expression after
each one — this helps you keep track of negative signs.
1. (−3 + 8) × 2
Final Answer: _______________________________________
2. −4² + 10
Final Answer: _______________________________________
3. (−12) ÷ (−4) + (−5)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
4. 6 × (−2 + 5) − 3²
Final Answer: _______________________________________
5. (−10 − 5) ÷ (−3)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
6. 2 × (−3)² − 8 ÷ (−4)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
Activity 3 — Error Hunt
Directions: Each solution below has ONE mistake. Find the error, explain what rule was broken,
then write the correct answer.
1. Problem: −5 + (−3) × 2
Student's work: −5 + (−3) = −8, then −8 × 2 = −16
What was the error?
Correct Answer: _______________________________________
2. Problem: (−4)² − 6
Student's work: (−4)² = −16, then −16 − 6 = −22
What was the error?
Correct Answer: _______________________________________
3. Problem: 12 ÷ (−3 + 1) × 2
Student's work: 12 ÷ (−3) = −4, then 1 + (−4) × 2 = 1 + (−8) = −7
What was the error?
Correct Answer: _______________________________________
Activity 4 — Real-World Integers
Directions: Read each situation, write the expression, then solve using PEMDAS and integer rules.
1. The temperature was −4°C in the morning. It rose by 3°C every hour for 3 hours. What was the
temperature after 3 hours?
Expression:
Final Answer: _______________________________________
2. A submarine is at −120 meters (120 meters below sea level). It rises 45 meters, then dives
another 30 meters. What is its final position?
Expression:
Final Answer: _______________________________________
3. Brandon's bank balance is −₱150 (he owes ₱150). He earns ₱200 from a chore, then spends ₱75
on a snack. What is his new balance? Write and solve the expression.
Expression:
Final Answer: _______________________________________
Activity 5 — Quick Check Quiz (Assessment)
Directions: Answer independently. Show your solution for each item.
1. (−6) + (−4) × 2
Final Answer: _______________________________________
2. (−2)³ + 5
Final Answer: _______________________________________
3. (−18) ÷ (−3 + 9)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
4. 4 × (−5 + 2) − (−6)
Final Answer: _______________________________________
5. A hiker started at an elevation of −25 meters (below sea level), climbed up 60 meters, then
descended 15 meters. What is the hiker's final elevation? Write the expression and solve.
Final Answer: _______________________________________
Bonus Challenge (Optional)
Solve: (−3)² × 2 − (−12) ÷ (−4) + (−7) (Hint: work carefully through exponent, then
multiplication/division left to right, then addition/subtraction.)
Final Answer: _______________________________________