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  1. Maths
  2. Year 8
  3. Four Operations
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Using Brackets in Different Places for Different Answers

In this worksheet, students practise how to use brackets in an expression.

'Using Brackets in Different Places for Different Answers' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Curriculum topic:   Number

Curriculum subtopic:   Use Conventional Notation for Priority of Operations

Difficulty level:  

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Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

In this worksheet, we will learn how putting brackets in different places gives different answers.

 

Remember that with a string of operations, they must be done in the following order:

 

Brackets
Powers or indices
Multiplication and division
Adding and subtracting

Remember BIDMAS

 

Example
 

3 +  5 × 6 - 2 × 3 + 4

= 3 + 30 - 6 + 4 (multiplying first)
= 31 (adding and subtracting from left to right)
 

If we put brackets in different places, we will get a different answer.

(3 + 5) × 6 - 2 × (3 + 4)

= 8 × 6 - 2 × 7 (brackets first)
= 48 - 14 (multiplying next)
= 34 (subtracting)

Match the correct values to each question.

 

a)  1 + 9 x 4 - 3

b)  (1 + 9) x 4 - 3

c)  1 + 9 x (4 - 3)

Column A

Column B

a)
37
b)
34
c)
10

Find the values of:

2 - 5 + 8 - 9 - 2  = ___________

2 - 5 + 8 - (9 - 2)  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8 - 9 - 2)  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8 - 9) - 2  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8) - 9 - 2  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8) - (9 - 2)  = ___________

Find the value:

5 - 4 - 9 - 1 =  ___________

5 - 4 - (9 - 1) =  ___________

5 - (4 - 9 - 1) = ___________

5 - (4 - 9) - 1 = ___________

Find the value:

4 + 6 × 3 - 6 × 1 = ___________

4 + 6 × (3 - 6 × 1) = ___________

(4 + 6) × 3 - 6 × 1 = ___________

(4 + 6) × (3 - 6 × 1) = ___________

Find the values of:

2 - 2 + 6 - 2 × 1 = ___________

2 - (2 + 6 - 2 × 1) = ___________

2 - (2 + 6) - 2 × 1 =  ___________

Match the correct values to each question.

 

a)  12 + 9 x 4 - 1

b)  (12 + 9) x 4 - 1

c)  12 + 9 x (4 - 1)

Column A

Column B

a)
39
b)
83
c)
47

Work out the value of:

2 + 3 x (4 + 7) - 5 x (4 - 1)

12

20

15

The answer is 10.

Select which of these options could be the question.

1 + 3 x 3 - (4 - 2 x 2)

2 + 3 x 2

10 - (10 - 10) - (10 - 10)

5 x (12 - 10) ÷ (4 -3)

100 ÷ 4 + 3 x 2

Work out the value of:

(2 + 3) x (4 + 7) - 5 x (4 - 1)

12

20

40

Work out the value of:

200 - (4 + 7) x 5 x (4 - 1)

12

20

35

  • ANSWERS
  • Question 1

Match the correct values to each question.

 

a)  1 + 9 x 4 - 3

b)  (1 + 9) x 4 - 3

c)  1 + 9 x (4 - 3)

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

a)
34
b)
37
c)
10
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the bracket first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 2

Find the values of:

2 - 5 + 8 - 9 - 2  = ___________

2 - 5 + 8 - (9 - 2)  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8 - 9 - 2)  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8 - 9) - 2  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8) - 9 - 2  = ___________

2 - (5 + 8) - (9 - 2)  = ___________

CORRECT ANSWER
-6
-2
0
-4
-22
-18
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 3

Find the value:

5 - 4 - 9 - 1 =  ___________

5 - 4 - (9 - 1) =  ___________

5 - (4 - 9 - 1) = ___________

5 - (4 - 9) - 1 = ___________

CORRECT ANSWER
-9
-7
11
9
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 4

Find the value:

4 + 6 × 3 - 6 × 1 = ___________

4 + 6 × (3 - 6 × 1) = ___________

(4 + 6) × 3 - 6 × 1 = ___________

(4 + 6) × (3 - 6 × 1) = ___________

CORRECT ANSWER
16
-14
24
-30
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 5

Find the values of:

2 - 2 + 6 - 2 × 1 = ___________

2 - (2 + 6 - 2 × 1) = ___________

2 - (2 + 6) - 2 × 1 =  ___________

CORRECT ANSWER
4
-4
-8
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 6

Match the correct values to each question.

 

a)  12 + 9 x 4 - 1

b)  (12 + 9) x 4 - 1

c)  12 + 9 x (4 - 1)

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

a)
47
b)
83
c)
39
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 7

Work out the value of:

2 + 3 x (4 + 7) - 5 x (4 - 1)

CORRECT ANSWER
20
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 8

The answer is 10.

Select which of these options could be the question.

CORRECT ANSWER
1 + 3 x 3 - (4 - 2 x 2)
10 - (10 - 10) - (10 - 10)
5 x (12 - 10) ÷ (4 -3)
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 9

Work out the value of:

(2 + 3) x (4 + 7) - 5 x (4 - 1)

CORRECT ANSWER
40
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 10

Work out the value of:

200 - (4 + 7) x 5 x (4 - 1)

CORRECT ANSWER
35
EDDIE SAYS
Remember to apply BODMAS. Always evaluate the brackets first
---- OR ----

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