Virginia SOL 5.CE.4

5.CE.4 is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.

• 5.CE.4.a

  Use order of operations to simplify numerical expressions with whole numbers, limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in which:*

• 5.CE.4.a.i

  expressions may contain no more than one set of parentheses

• 5.CE.4.a.ii

  simplification will be limited to five whole numbers and four operations in any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division

• 5.CE.4.a.iii

  whole numbers will be limited to two digits or less

• 5.CE.4.a.iv

  expressions should not include braces, brackets, or fraction bars.

• 5.CE.4.b

  Given a whole number numerical expression involving more than one operation, describe which operation is completed first, which is second, and which is third.*

01

What Students Need to Do

Students calculate inside parentheses first. They then work multiplication and division from left to right, followed by addition and subtraction from left to right, and name the operation sequence.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student writes one operation per line, copies all untouched numbers and symbols, and reaches the correct value. The student can point to each operation in the order used and explain why.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may work straight from left to right, even when multiplication appears after addition. Some always multiply before dividing or add before subtracting instead of working left to right. Others skip parentheses or combine several operations in one unclear step.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Simplify 18 - (8 ÷ 2) × 3. Show one operation per line, then name the first, second, and third operations.

1. 01

   Give pairs number, operation, and parentheses cards, then have them build an expression and move each completed operation aside in sequence.

2. 02

   Ask students to explain why 24 ÷ 6 × 2 must be worked from left to right.

3. 03

   Play an error-analysis relay where teams correct one incorrect step before passing the expression to the next teammate.

4. 04

   Use a store receipt to solve (3 × 8 - 4) ÷ 4, representing three items, a coupon, and four friends sharing.

• 8.PFA.1

  The student will represent, simplify, and generate equivalent algebraic expressions in one variable. 

• 7.PFA.2

  The student will simplify numerical expressions, simplify and generate equivalent algebraic expressions in one variable, and evaluate algebraic expressions for ...

• 8.PFA.1.b

  Simplify and generate equivalent algebraic expressions in one variable by applying the order of operations and properties of real numbers. Expressions may need ...