Free practice on The Four Mathematical Operations for Class 4, following the Cameroon primary school curriculum (English subsystem). Every answer is explained, so a parent who is not sure of the answer can still help.
Every maths problem uses one or more of the four operations. Add (+), subtract (−), multiply (×), divide (÷). Some problems mix them all!
| Operation | Sign | Word clue |
|---|---|---|
| Add | + | sum, total, altogether |
| Subtract | − | difference, less, minus |
| Multiply | × | product, times, of |
| Divide | ÷ | share, per, each |
Look at three plus four times two. Ngu adds first and gets fourteen. Bih multiplies first and gets eleven. Same sum, two answers! So mathematicians agreed on one order that everybody follows. That order is called BODMAS.
3 + 4 = 7, then 7 × 2 = 14 ≠ 4 × 2 = 8, then 3 + 8 = 11
BODMAS tells you what to do first. B is for brackets. O is for orders, that means powers. D is divide and M is multiply. A is add and S is subtract. Always work down this list, never jump about.
Here is the method. First read the whole sum and find every operation in it. Then pick the one that comes highest in BODMAS and do only that one. Now write the sum again with that part replaced by its answer. Keep going until one number is left. One step each line, never two at once.
Try twenty minus six times three. Step one, read it: there is a subtract and a multiply. Step two, multiply is higher in BODMAS, so do six times three, which is eighteen. Step three, write it again: twenty minus eighteen. Step four, that leaves two. The answer is two.
Your turn. Use the same four steps. Read it, find the operation highest in BODMAS, do that one first, then finish the sum.
1250 + 730 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 1980
3005 − 1287 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 1718
36 × 4 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 144
96 ÷ 8 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 12
Use BODMAS: 5 + 3 × 4 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 17
Multiply first: 3 × 4 = 12, then 5 + 12 = 17.
Use BODMAS: (10 − 4) × 3 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 18
Brackets first: 10 − 4 = 6, then 6 × 3 = 18.
What does the B in BODMAS stand for?
Answer: B. Brackets
B is for Brackets — whatever is inside them is done first.
In 7 + 2 × 3, which step comes FIRST?
Answer: B. Multiply 2 × 3
M comes before A in BODMAS, so multiply first: 2 × 3 = 6, then 7 + 6 = 13.
Use BODMAS: 7 + 2 × 3 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 13
Multiply first: 2 × 3 = 6, then 7 + 6 = 13.
Use BODMAS: 20 − 12 ÷ 4 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 17
Divide first: 12 ÷ 4 = 3, then 20 − 3 = 17.
Use BODMAS: (8 + 2) × 4 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 40
Brackets first: 8 + 2 = 10, then 10 × 4 = 40.
Bih buys 3 pens at 50 FCFA each and one book at 200 FCFA. Use BODMAS: 3 × 50 + 200 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 350
Multiply first: 3 × 50 = 150 FCFA for the pens, then 150 + 200 = 350 FCFA.
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