Free printable practice
4 Operations 5 Terms Practice Activities
Printable order of operations drills for practising five-term expressions that use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Practice that builds confidence
What this skill covers
These worksheets help children practise order of operations with five-term number expressions using all four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The focus is on deciding what to solve first, not simply working from left to right.
Each printable activity gives structured drill practice for the Mathematics > Math Drills > Order Of Operations topic. Children read expressions carefully, apply BODMAS-style priority, and build accuracy with multi-step arithmetic.
In these 4 Operations 5 Terms worksheets, children work with expressions made from five numbers joined by +, −, ×, and ÷ signs. The key idea is that multiplication and division are completed before addition and subtraction, while operations of the same priority are worked from left to right. For example, in an expression such as 18 − 6 ÷ 3 + 4 × 2, the division and multiplication must be handled before the final addition and subtraction.
How the practice progresses
Five-term expressions give enough steps to make children slow down and think. A page may require them to divide, multiply, then combine the remaining values in order. This strengthens mental sequencing, working memory, and written arithmetic. Children also learn to copy signs accurately, line up intermediate answers, and avoid changing the meaning of the expression while simplifying it.
Parent routine at home
Ask your child to circle or underline the multiplication and division parts first. Let them solve just those parts, then rewrite the whole expression with the new values. Next, they can complete addition and subtraction from left to right. After every two or three questions, ask, “Which operation did you do first, and why?” This short explanation helps you spot whether they understand the rule or are guessing.
Classroom uses for teachers
Teachers can use these pages as maths drill practice after introducing order of operations, as a quick revision sheet, or as independent work for early finishers. They also work well in centres: one group solves, another checks using a partner explanation, and a third creates a similar five-term expression for classmates to try. The format supports both fluency and mathematical talk.
Common errors to watch for
Many children solve strictly from left to right, especially when the expression begins with addition or subtraction. Others do multiplication before division even when division appears first; remind them that × and ÷ have equal priority. Sign errors are also common after subtraction, so children should rewrite each step neatly instead of doing too much in their heads.
Free printable PDF download
Use this 4 operations 5 terms order of operations worksheet page to preview the activity, print it, or download it as a PDF for quick practice. It works well for homework, homeschool lessons, tutoring, morning work, revision, and classroom centers.
Answers and answer key support
After the child completes the worksheet independently, parents and teachers can use the answer support or answer key information to check the work, review mistakes, and choose the next practice step.
Why iBloom worksheets help
iBloom worksheets give focused practice on one clearly defined order of operations skill, so children are not distracted by unrelated concepts. A useful child-friendly strategy is: “Find the strong operations first, solve them left to right, then finish the rest.” This keeps five-term problems manageable and builds dependable calculation habits.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What does 4 Operations 5 Terms mean?
It means each expression uses five numbers or terms and includes the four basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Which operation should children solve first?
They should solve multiplication and division first, working from left to right when both appear, then complete addition and subtraction from left to right.
Are these worksheets useful for BODMAS practice?
Yes. They build the core BODMAS habit of respecting operation priority, especially the rule that multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction.
Why are five-term expressions more challenging?
Five-term expressions require children to hold several steps in order, rewrite intermediate results correctly, and avoid the common mistake of solving everything from left to right.
How can I help my child check an answer?
Ask your child to mark the multiplication and division parts, solve those again, and compare the rewritten expression step by step before checking the final value.
Is this 4 operations 5 terms order of operations worksheet free?
Yes. You can preview it for free and use the printable worksheet for home or classroom practice.
Can I download this 4 operations 5 terms order of operations worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Use the worksheet download option to save a printable PDF, or print the worksheet directly from the page.
Does this 4 operations 5 terms order of operations worksheet include answers or an answer key?
When the activity has fixed answers, iBloom includes answer support so parents and teachers can check the completed worksheet.