Free practice on Mathematical Operations for Class 5, 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.
Addition (+): total. Subtraction (−): difference. Multiplication (×): repeated addition. Division (÷): repeated subtraction / sharing. Every problem uses one or more.
| Sign | Clue words |
|---|---|
| + | sum, total, altogether, plus |
| − | difference, minus, less, take away |
| × | product, times, of, twice |
| ÷ | quotient, per, each, share, divided by |
Know your tables up to 12. They make everything faster. 7 × 8 = 56, 9 × 6 = 54. Practise every day.
| × 7 | × 8 | × 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 × 1 = 7 | 8 × 1 = 8 | 9 × 1 = 9 |
| 7 × 5 = 35 | 8 × 5 = 40 | 9 × 5 = 45 |
| 7 × 8 = 56 | 8 × 8 = 64 | 9 × 8 = 72 |
| 7 × 12 = 84 | 8 × 12 = 96 | 9 × 12 = 108 |
When many operations mix in one sum, you cannot just work from left to right. Follow BODMAS. B is brackets. O is orders, that means powers. D is divide, M is multiply, A is add, S is subtract. Two plus three times four is fourteen, not twenty, because multiply comes before add.
Here is the part most pupils get wrong. Divide and multiply are on the same level as each other, and add and subtract are on the same level too. When two of the same level meet, do them left to right. Twelve divided by three times two is four times two, which is eight. It is not twelve divided by six.
12 ÷ 3 × 2 = 4 × 2 = 8 ✓ vs 12 ÷ (3 × 2) = 12 ÷ 6 = 2 ✗
Use these steps every time. Read the whole sum first and find every operation. Choose the one highest in BODMAS, and if two are on the same level take the left one. Do that single step. Write the sum out again, now shorter. Repeat until one number is left.
Try twenty minus eight divided by four. Read it: a subtract and a divide. Divide is higher, so eight divided by four is two. Write it again: twenty minus two. That leaves eighteen. Notice we never touched the twenty until the divide was finished.
Your turn. This one has brackets, and brackets always go first. Work through the steps and take your time.
Use BODMAS: 20 − 8 ÷ 4 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 18
Divide first: 8 ÷ 4 = 2, then 20 − 2 = 18.
Use BODMAS: (6 + 4) × 5 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 50
Brackets first: 6 + 4 = 10, then 10 × 5 = 50.
Use BODMAS: 12 × 3 − 16 ÷ 4 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 32
12 × 3 = 36 and 16 ÷ 4 = 4, then 36 − 4 = 32.
2345 + 1876 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 4221
456 × 10 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 4560
144 ÷ 12 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 12
In 12 ÷ 3 × 2, which is right?
Answer: B. Left to right: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, then 4 × 2 = 8
Divide and multiply are the SAME level, so you work left to right: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, then 4 × 2 = 8.
Use BODMAS: 12 ÷ 3 × 2 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 8
Same level, so left to right: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, then 4 × 2 = 8.
Use BODMAS: 5 + 24 ÷ 6 − 2 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 7
Divide first: 24 ÷ 6 = 4. Then left to right: 5 + 4 = 9, then 9 − 2 = 7.
Use BODMAS: (14 − 6) ÷ 2 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 4
Brackets first: 14 − 6 = 8, then 8 ÷ 2 = 4.
Use BODMAS: 9 + 3 × (10 − 6) = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 21
Brackets first: 10 − 6 = 4. Then multiply: 3 × 4 = 12. Then 9 + 12 = 21.
Ngu sells 4 bunches of plantain at 1500 FCFA each and pays 800 FCFA for transport. Use BODMAS: 4 × 1500 − 800 = ?
Write your answer, then check below.
Answer: 5200
Multiply first: 4 × 1500 = 6000 FCFA, then 6000 − 800 = 5200 FCFA.
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