A.B.
Dennis Foundation School of Dignity
Arithmetic Skills
Mathematics Lesson • Grades 7 & 8
Subject: Mathematics Topic: Arithmetic Skills
Grade Level: 7 and 8 Duration: 80 minutes (double period)
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
● Apply the correct order of operations (BODMAS) to evaluate arithmetic expressions.
● Perform the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) on integers, including
negative numbers.
● Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and mixed numbers.
● Convert confidently between fractions, decimals, and percentages, and apply percentages to real-life
problems.
● Solve word problems involving ratio and proportion.
Materials Needed
Exercise books, pencils/pens, rulers, chalkboard, and calculators (for checking work only).
Part 1: Order of Operations (BODMAS)
When an arithmetic expression contains more than one operation, we must follow a fixed order so that
everyone gets the same answer. This order is remembered using the word BODMAS:
B Brackets ( ), [ ], { }
O Of / Orders (powers, roots) 2², √9
D Division ÷
M Multiplication ×
A Addition +
S Subtraction −
Note: Division and multiplication have equal priority, worked left to right; the same applies to addition and
subtraction.
Worked Example 1
Evaluate: 12 + 6 ÷ 2 − 3 × 2
Step 1 (Division/Multiplication first): 6 ÷ 2 = 3, and 3 × 2 = 6
Step 2: 12 + 3 − 6
Step 3 (left to right): 12 + 3 = 15, then 15 − 6 = 9
Worked Example 2
Evaluate: (8 + 2) × 3² − 5
Step 1 (Brackets): 8 + 2 = 10
Step 2 (Orders): 3² = 9
Step 3 (Multiplication): 10 × 9 = 90
Step 4 (Subtraction): 90 − 5 = 85
Practice Exercise 1
1 15 − 3 × 4 + 6
2 (9 + 3) ÷ 4 − 1
3 20 ÷ (2 + 2) × 3
4 5² − (14 − 8) × 2
5 18 + 12 ÷ 3 − 2²
Part 2: Operations with Integers
Integers include positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero. Key rules for signs:
• Same signs, add and keep the sign: (+7) + (+3) = +10; (−7) + (−3) = −10
• Different signs, subtract and take the sign of the larger number: (−7) + (+3) = −4
• Multiplying/dividing same signs gives a positive answer: (−4) × (−3) = +12
• Multiplying/dividing different signs gives a negative answer: (−4) × (+3) = −12
Worked Example
Simplify: −8 + 5 − (−6) × 2
Step 1: (−6) × 2 = −12
Step 2: −8 + 5 − (−12) = −8 + 5 + 12
Step 3: −8 + 5 = −3, then −3 + 12 = 9
Practice Exercise 2
1 −15 + 9
2 −6 − (−4)
3 (−7) × (−3)
4 24 ÷ (−6)
5 −10 + (−4) × 3
Part 3: Fractions
Addition/Subtraction: find a common denominator, then add or subtract the numerators.
Multiplication: multiply numerators together and denominators together, then simplify.
Division: multiply by the reciprocal (flip the second fraction).
Worked Example
Simplify: 2/3 + 1/4
Step 1: Common denominator of 3 and 4 is 12: 2/3 = 8/12, 1/4 = 3/12
Step 2: 8/12 + 3/12 = 11/12
Simplify: 3/5 ÷ 2/7
Step 1: Multiply by the reciprocal: 3/5 × 7/2
Step 2: = 21/10 = 2 1/10
Practice Exercise 3
1 1/2 + 1/3
2 5/6 − 1/4
3 2/5 × 3/7
4 4/9 ÷ 2/3
5 1 1/2 + 2 3/4
Part 4: Decimals, Fractions, and Percentages
These three forms represent the same value in different ways. To change a fraction to a percentage,
multiply by 100%. To change a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100.
Fraction Decimal Percentage
1/2 0.5 50%
1/4 0.25 25%
3/5 0.6 60%
1/8 0.125 12.5%
Worked Example (Percentage of a quantity)
Find 15% of 240 students.
Step 1: 15% = 15/100 = 0.15
Step 2: 0.15 × 240 = 36 students
Practice Exercise 4
1 Convert 3/8 to a decimal and a percentage.
2 Convert 0.45 to a fraction (in lowest terms) and a percentage.
3 Find 20% of 350.
4 A shirt costs $40 and is discounted by 25%. What is the new price?
5 In a class of 45 students, 27 passed a test. What percentage passed?
Part 5: Ratio and Proportion
A ratio compares two or more quantities of the same kind. Ratios are simplified the same way fractions
are, by dividing all terms by their highest common factor.
Worked Example
Share $360 between two students in the ratio 4:5.
Step 1: Total parts = 4 + 5 = 9
Step 2: Value of one part = 360 ÷ 9 = 40
Step 3: First share = 4 × 40 = $160; Second share = 5 × 40 = $200
Practice Exercise 5
1 Simplify the ratio 24:36.
2 Share 500 mangoes between two farmers in the ratio 2:3.
3 A map has a scale of 1:50,000. What real distance (in km) does 4 cm on the map represent?
4 The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:4. If there are 21 boys, how many girls are there?
Class Activity (Group Work)
In pairs, students design a short 'market day' word problem using at least two arithmetic skills learned
today (for example, a fraction and a percentage, or a ratio and integers). Pairs exchange problems with
another group and solve them, then present one solution on the board.
Homework
1 Evaluate: 30 − 4 × (6 − 2) ÷ 2
2 Simplify: −12 × (−5) − 20 ÷ 4
3 Work out: 2/3 of 3/5 + 1/5
4 A trader buys goods for $150 and sells them at a 30% profit. Find the selling price.
5 Divide $720 among three workers in the ratio 2:3:4.
Answer Key
Practice Exercise 1 (BODMAS)
1. 9 2. 2 3. 15 4. 13 5. 18
Practice Exercise 2 (Integers)
1. −6 2. −2 3. 21 4. −4 5. −22
Practice Exercise 3 (Fractions)
1. 5/6 2. 7/12 3. 6/35 4. 2/3 5. 4 1/4
Practice Exercise 4 (Decimals & Percentages)
1. 0.375, 37.5%
2. 9/20, 45%
3. 70
4. $30
5. 60%
Practice Exercise 5 (Ratio & Proportion)
1. 2:3
2. 200 mangoes and 300 mangoes
3. 2 km
4. 28 girls
Homework
1. 22
2. 55
3. 3/5
4. $195
5. $160, $240, $320