STUDY GUIDE

GRADE 5 | UNIT 3
Order of Operations

Table of Contents

Introduction ..........................................................................................................................2
Test Your Prerequisite Skills ..............................................................................................3
Objectives ............................................................................................................................4
Lesson 1: Order of Operations: PMDAS or GMDAS
- Warm Up! ..................................................................................................................4
- Learn about It! ..........................................................................................................5
- Let’s Practice! ............................................................................................................7
- Check Your Understanding! ................................................................................. 12
Lesson 2: Simplifying Series of Operations on Whole Numbers Using the
GMDAS Rule
- Warm Up! ............................................................................................................... 13
- Learn about It! ....................................................................................................... 14
- Let’s Practice! ......................................................................................................... 15
- Check Your Understanding! ................................................................................. 19
Challenge Yourself! .......................................................................................................... 20
Performance Task............................................................................................................ 21
Wrap-up ............................................................................................................................ 22
Key to Let’s Practice! ......................................................................................................... 23
References ........................................................................................................................ 25

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Table of Contents
GRADE 5 | MATHEMATICS

UNIT 3

Order of Operations
Cambridge Dictionary defines “order” as “the way in which people or things
are arranged, either in relation to one another or according to a particular
characteristic”. According to Oxford Dictionary, it is “a state in which
everything is in its correct or appropriate place.”

The order in which we do things is essential.

Without a standard, most of the time, things
will likely be chaotic. For instance, when your
bedroom is not organized, and you are looking
for something, it will take a toll on your time to
find that missing object as opposed to a
bedroom where things are organized.

As we agree to some order in practical ways of living like

driving on the right side of the road, standing on the right
and walking on the left on an escalator, and even to the
most obvious things like taking a shower first before getting
dressed, we make agreements and follow an order in math
for consistency as well. Without a standard, real-world
calculations in business, mathematics, finance, science, etc.
would make no sense.

In this unit, you will master solving long expressions with multiple operations
and appreciate its significance in different real-world problems.
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Test Your Prerequisite Skills

• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing whole numbers

• Solving word problems involving addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of whole numbers

Before you get started, answer the following items to help you assess your
prior knowledge and practice some skills that you will need in studying the
lessons in this unit.

1. Perform the operations below.

a. 153 + 92 b. 13 × 18 c. 73 + 228 d. 86 × 54
e. 800 – 61 f. 315 ÷ 7 g. 92 – 14 h. 988 ÷ 13

2. Solve the following problems.

a. Ally baked some cookies. She gave 13 pieces to Juan. Ally now has 12
cookies left. How many cookies did Ally bake?
b. Celine jogged 1 230 meters in the morning and 2 010 meters in the
evening. How many meters did she jog in all?
c. Joshua is a singer-songwriter and on the average, he performs twice
a week. At this rate, how many performances will he have to do in 3
months? (Assume a month has four weeks.)
d. 2 700 pieces of pencils need to be inserted into school supply kits. If
each school supply kit must contain three pencils, how many school
supply kits must be provided?

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Objectives

At the end of this unit, you should be able to

• state, explain, and interpret Parentheses, Multiplication, Division,
Addition, Subtraction (PMDAS) or Grouping, Multiplication, Division,
Addition, Subtraction (GMDAS) rule; and
• simplify series of operations on whole numbers involving more than
two operations using the PMDAS or GMDAS rule.

Lesson 1: Order of Operations: PMDAS or GMDAS

Warm Up!

Show and Solve!

Materials Needed: cut-out pieces of paper with mathematical symbols

Instructions:
1. This activity shall be done in groups of 9 members.
2. Your teacher will distribute the 10 cut-out pieces of paper (shown
below), and you are to create your own mathematical expression.

5 × 3 + (
− ) 7 2

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3. Try to find the answer to your mathematical expression.

4. Show the class your arrangement and let them answer it as well.
5. Did you arrive at the same answer? Why do you think so?

Learn about It!

You may have encountered different answers during your Warm Up! activity.
The expression below can just be one out of the many expressions you can
form from the symbols given.

𝟓 × (𝟑 + 𝟐) − 𝟕

One may solve this expression from left to right, getting 10 as an answer.
One may perform the operations from right to left, obtaining an answer of
25. One may do a particular procedure where 3 and 2 will be added first,
then multiply the sum to 5 and furthermore, subtract the product by 7. This
gives you an answer of 18.

In mathematics, it will be confusing to accept different answers from the

same expression. What should be the correct answer? What is the proper
way or the order of simplifying the mathematical expressions you have
formed?

To eliminate the confusion, mathematicians have developed an order of

operations so that the same expressions would have the same answers. A
widely known technique to remember this order is through the use of the
abbreviation PMDAS or GMDAS.
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Parenthesis or Grouping

Perform the operations inside the grouping symbols first. Grouping symbols
are parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], and braces { }.

𝟓 × (𝟑 + 𝟐) − 𝟕

= 𝟓 × (𝟓) − 𝟕

Multiplication or Division

After simplifying the operations inside the grouping symbols, perform

multiplication and division from left to right. This means that when there are
multiple operations for multiplication and division, simplify the one that
comes first.

𝟓 × (𝟓) − 𝟕

= 𝟐𝟓 − 𝟕

Addition or Subtraction

After performing multiplication and division, perform addition and

subtraction from left to right. This means that when there are multiple
operations for addition and subtraction, simplify the one that comes first.

𝟐𝟓 − 𝟕

= 𝟏𝟖

Thus, the correct order in solving this problem should be addition (operation
inside the parentheses), multiplication, then subtraction.

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Let’s Practice!

Example 1: What should be the correct sequence to simplify the following

series of operations?

𝟐𝟐 − 𝟖 ÷ 𝟒 × 𝟑 + 𝟏

Solution:

Step 1: There are no grouping symbols so proceed to the next step

which is either multiplication or division from left to right.

𝟐𝟐 − 𝟖 ÷ 𝟒 × 𝟑 + 𝟏
= 𝟐𝟐 − 𝟐 × 𝟑 + 𝟏
= 𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔 + 𝟏

Step 2: After performing the multiplication and division operations,

simplify from left to right again using either addition or
subtraction. In this problem, subtraction comes first. Do
subtraction, then addition.

𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔 + 𝟏
= 𝟏𝟔 + 𝟏
= 𝟏𝟕

Thus, the correct sequence to simplify this problem should be

division, multiplication, subtraction, then addition.

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Try It Yourself!

What should be the correct sequence to simplify the following series of

operations?
𝟑𝟒 + 𝟏𝟖 ÷ 𝟔 × 𝟐 − 𝟏

Example 2: Describe the steps in simplifying (𝟏𝟑 − 𝟏 × 𝟕) ÷ 𝟐 + 𝟓.

Solution:

Step 1: Applying the GMDAS or PMDAS rule means you will simplify the
ones inside the parentheses first. Inside the parentheses, there
are subtraction and multiplication operations. Applying further
the GMDAS or PMDAS rule inside the parentheses, multiply 1
and 7 first then subtract their product from 13.

(𝟏𝟑 − 𝟏 × 𝟕) ÷ 𝟐 + 𝟓
= (𝟏𝟑 − 𝟕) ÷ 𝟐 + 𝟓
= (𝟔) ÷ 𝟐 + 𝟓

Step 2: After simplifying the ones inside the parentheses, perform

division then addition.

(𝟔) ÷ 𝟐 + 𝟓
=𝟑+𝟓
=𝟖

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Try It Yourself!

Describe the steps in simplifying (14 + 12 ÷ 6) × 2 − 2.

Example 3: State the steps in evaluating the given expression:

3 × [4 − 2 × (10 − 8) + 12 ÷ 6 × 1]

Solution:

Step 1: By applying GMDAS or PMDAS rule, we simplify the ones inside

the parentheses first.

Note that there are parenthesis and brackets given. Perform the
operation inside the innermost grouping symbol first.

𝟑 × [𝟒 − 𝟐 × (𝟏𝟎 − 𝟖) + 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟔 × 𝟏]
= 𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟐 × 𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟔 × 𝟏)

Step 2: Perform series of operations (MDAS) inside the parentheses

starting off with 2 × 2.

𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟐 × 𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟔 × 𝟏)
= 𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟒 + 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟔 × 𝟏)

Step 3: The next step is to perform division.

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𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟒 + 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟔 × 𝟏)
= 𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟒 + 𝟐 × 𝟏)

Step 4: Multiply 2 and 1 before you proceed with subtraction.

𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟒 + 𝟐 × 𝟏)
= 𝟑 × ( 𝟒 − 𝟒 + 𝟐)

Step 5: Then, do subtraction before addition. Recall that when there

are multiple operations for addition and subtraction, simplify
the one that comes first.

𝟑 × (𝟒 − 𝟒 + 𝟐)
= 𝟑 × (𝟎 + 𝟐)

= 𝟑 × (𝟎 + 𝟐)
𝟑×𝟐

Step 3: Simplify the whole expression.

𝟑×𝟐
=𝟔

Try It Yourself!

State the steps in evaluating the following expression:

{3 × [4 + (9 − 8) − 2] − 3}

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Real-World Problems

Example 4: Peter has ₱450.00. He spends ₱210.00 on

food. Later, he divides all the money into
four parts: the three parts were distributed
and one part he keeps for himself. Then, he
found 50 pesos on the road. Write the final
expression and state the steps in finding the
money left with Peter.

Solution:

Step 1: Write the expression that represents each clue.

• Peter has ₱450: 450

• He spends ₱210 on food: 450 – 210
• He divides all the money into four parts out of which three
parts were distributed and one part he keeps for himself:
(450 − 210) ÷ 4
• Then, he found ₱50 on the road: (450 − 210) ÷ 4 + 50
• The expression is (450 − 210) ÷ 4 + 50.

Step 2: Use GMDAS to simplify the expression, starting off by

performing the operation inside the parentheses.

(𝟒𝟓𝟎 − 𝟐𝟏𝟎) ÷ 𝟒 + 𝟓𝟎
= 𝟐𝟒𝟎 ÷ 𝟒 + 𝟓𝟎
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Step 3: The operations left are division and addition. Using the order of
operations, divide 240 and 4 first, then add the quotient to 50.

𝟐𝟒𝟎 ÷ 𝟒 + 𝟓𝟎
= 𝟔𝟎 + 𝟓𝟎
= 𝟏𝟏𝟎

Thus, Peter has ₱110 left.

Try It Yourself!

Darwin withdrew ₱5 200 from his bank account

to buy some items. He bought a pair of trousers
for ₱340, 2 shirts for ₱360 each, and 2 pairs of
shoes for ₱540 each. Give the final expression,
and state the steps in determining how much money Darwin with him
on hand at the end of the shopping day.

Check Your Understanding!

1. How do you explain the PMDAS or GMDAS rule?

2. Write the steps in evaluating the expressions below.
a. 32 ÷ 2 × 2
b. 6÷2+1×4
c. (15 − 6) + (4 − 1) × 23
d. (25 ÷ 5) × 3 − 13
e. 19 + 12 × 3 − 5
f. 2 × [(50 × 2) + 10]
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3. Write the corresponding expression of the given problem below,

then simplify.

Flora bought 3 notebooks for ₱10 each, a box of pencils for ₱21, and a
box of pens for ₱35. How much did she spend in all?

Lesson 2: Simplifying Series of Operations on Whole

Numbers Using the GMDAS Rule

Warm Up!

GMDAS Train!

Materials Needed: coloring materials, illustration board

Instructions:
1. This activity may be done individually or in pairs.
2. Make your own GMDAS train by writing an expression with series of
operation. You can design your train using coloring materials.
3. Exchange your GMDAS train with your seatmate and try to state the
steps in simplifying the given expression.
4. Post your GMDAS train in the Math corner of the classroom.
Example:

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Learn about It!

The activity in Warm Up! requires you to state the steps in simplifying the
given expression. You have learned the correct order of operations in
simplifying these type of expressions in the previous lesson. Here, you will be
learning how to simplify series of operations on whole numbers.

Example: Simplify the expression below using the GMDAS rule.

𝟖 × 𝟒 + (𝟏𝟑 − 𝟔 ÷ 𝟐) − 𝟑

Solution: Recall what does GMDAS stand for:

Grouping
Perform the operations inside the grouping symbols first. Grouping symbols
are parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], and braces { }. Note that in the given
example, subtraction and division are present in the parentheses. Again, we
use MDAS here, thus, division needs to be done before subtraction.

𝟖 × 𝟒 + (𝟏𝟑 − 𝟔 ÷ 𝟐) − 𝟑
= 𝟖 × 𝟒 + (𝟏𝟑 − 𝟑) − 𝟑
= 𝟖 × 𝟒 + (𝟏𝟎) − 𝟑

Multiplication or Division
After simplifying the operations inside the grouping symbols, perform
multiplication and division from left to right. This means that when there are
multiple operations for multiplication and division, simplify the one that
comes first.
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𝟖 × 𝟒 + 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟑
= 𝟑𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎 − 𝟑
= 𝟒𝟐 − 𝟑

Addition or Subtraction
Next, perform addition and subtraction from left to right. This means that
when there are multiple operations for addition and subtraction, simplify the
one that comes first.
𝟒𝟐 − 𝟑
= 𝟑𝟗

Therefore, 8 × 4 + (13 − 6 ÷ 2) − 3 = 39.

Let’s Practice!

Example 1: Apply the GMDAS rule to simplify 14 ÷ 2 × 3 − (6 − 5) + 8.

Solution:

Step 1: Perform the operation inside the grouping symbols.

𝟏𝟒 ÷ 𝟐 × 𝟑 − (𝟔 − 𝟓) + 𝟖
= 𝟏𝟒 ÷ 𝟐 × 𝟑 − (𝟏) + 𝟖

Step 2: Perform multiplication and division from left to right.

𝟏𝟒 ÷ 𝟐 × 𝟑 − (𝟏) + 𝟖
= 𝟕×𝟑−𝟏+𝟖
= 𝟐𝟏 − 𝟏 + 𝟖
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Step 3: Perform addition and subtraction from left to right.

𝟐𝟏 − 𝟏 + 𝟖
= 𝟐𝟎 + 𝟖
= 𝟐𝟖

Thus, 14 ÷ 2 × 3 − (6 − 5) + 8 = 28.

Try It Yourself!

Apply the GMDAS rule to simplify 16 ÷ 4 + 5 × (3 + 2) − 9.

Example 2: What is the missing expression in simplifying the expression

(18 + 6) ÷ 2 − 3 × 4 + 8?

(18 + 6) ÷ 2 − 3 × 4 + 8
= 24 ÷ 2 − 3 × 4 + 8
= ______________________
=0+8
=8

Solution: From the second expression, divide 24 by 2 which is 12, and

multiply 3 by 4 which is 12 as well. Thus, the missing expression
is 12 − 12 + 8.

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Try It Yourself!

What is the missing expression in simplifying (19 − 5) ÷ 7 + 5 × 2 − 6?

(19 − 5) ÷ 7 + 5 × 2 − 6
= (14) ÷ 7 + 5 × 2 − 6
= ________________________
= 12 − 6
=6

Example 3: Is 12 ÷ 4 × (3 + 2) − 9 = 12 ÷ 4 × 3 + 2 − 9 ?

Solution: To find out, simplify both sides of the equation by applying the
GMDAS rule.

Left side of the Right side of the

equation: equation:

𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟒 × (𝟑 + 𝟐) − 𝟗 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟒 × 𝟑 + 𝟐 − 𝟗
= 𝟏𝟐 ÷ 𝟒 × (𝟓) − 𝟗 = 𝟑×𝟑+𝟐−𝟗
= 𝟑 × (𝟓) − 𝟗 =𝟗+𝟐−𝟗
= 𝟏𝟓 − 𝟗 = 𝟏𝟏 − 𝟗
=𝟔 =𝟐

𝟔≠𝟐

Thus, 12 ÷ 4 × (3 + 2) − 9 ≠ 12 ÷ 4 × 3 + 2 − 9

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Try It Yourself!

Is 5 × (50 ÷ 2) + 3 = 30 ÷ 6 × 25 + 2 + (9 ÷ 9)? Why?

Real-World Problems

Example 4: Benjie wanted to buy a pair of shoes for

₱1 500.00. He initially took out ₱500.00
to pay for the shoes. He also availed a
promo of ₱100.00 off. His father paid
half of the balance as a gift for his
birthday. What expression should be
formed to find the amount he still
needs to buy the pair of shoes? How much more does he need?

Solution:

Step 1: Write the corresponding expression of each clue.

• Benjie wanted to buy a pair of shoes ₱1 500 and initially

paid took out ₱500 to pay for the shoes: 1500 – 500
• He availed a promo of ₱100.00 off: 1500 – 500 – 100
• His father paid half of the balance: (1500 − 500 − 100) ÷ 2
• If the father paid half the balance, Benjie will need the other
half of the balance: (1500 − 500 − 100) ÷ 2.
Step 2: Simplify (1500 − 500 − 100) ÷ 2. 18
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(1500 − 500 − 100) ÷ 2

(1000 − 100) ÷ 2
900 ÷ 2
450

Thus, Benjie needs ₱450 more for the pair of shoes.

Try It Yourself!

Q Company has 20 employees. Of these, five

receive a salary of ₱700.00 per day and the rest
receive ₱500.00 per day. There are 5 working days
in a week. Write an expression for the amount the company spends for
the salaries per week.

Check Your Understanding!

.

1. Evaluate the given expressions below.

a. 3 × [3 + 2 × (10 − 3)]
b. (18 − 4) + (5 + 3)
c. 3 + 2 × [5 + 3 × (50 ÷ 10) − 4]

2. Check if the two given expressions are equal

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a. (12 + 3) − 7 × 2 and 12 + 3 − 7 × 2
b. 15 ÷ 3 + 2 × 6 and 2 × 30 − (3 × 3)
c. [2 + 50 × 3 − (4 × 2)] + 20 and (2 + 50) × 3 − 4 × 2 + 20

3. Cheska and her sister bought 4 notebooks for ₱15 each, a book
worth ₱450, and coloring pens for ₱180. If they were to divide the
expenses, how much would each pay?

Challenge Yourself!

1. Use the order of operations and the digits 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 to form an

expression equivalent to 4.

2. Insert operation symbols on the blank to result in a value that is

a. the highest possible answer
b. the least possible answer

5 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 9

3. What is the importance of learning PMDAS and GMDAS in simplifying

expressions?

4. Write 2 word problems involving series of operations.

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Performance Task

Interview your parents on how your family spends your weekly budget. You
may refer to the guide questions below.

1. How much is your family weekly budget?

2. Where does your family spend your weekly budget?
3. How do you divide the budget to pay for different expenses of your
family?
4. Try to write an expression that will represent the division of expenses
from your family weekly budget.

Create a report by writing the detailed answer for each question and prepare
to recite the results in the class.

Performance Task Rubric

Below Needs Successful Exemplary

Criteria Expectation Improvement Performance Performance Rating
(0-49%) (50-74%) (75-99%) (100%)
The
expression The The
The expression
does not expression expression
Accuracy is accurate and
represent have evident has minimal
has no error.
the actual errors. error.
budget.
The report is The report is The report is
The report has
difficult to easy to easy to
Clarity evident
understand understand understand but
unclear parts.
and has a lot with minimal is
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of unclear unclear parts. comprehensive.

parts.
The content The content of
Some content The content
of the report the report is
of the report is of the report
Organization is not aligned with the
not aligned is aligned
and delivery aligned with given questions
with the given with the given
the given with added
questions. questions.
questions. information.
Total

Wrap-up

Order of Operations

Groupings

Multiplication
left to right
Division

Addition
left to right
Subtraction

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Key Terms/Formulas

Concept Description
In problems involving more than two operations, apply
Simplifying a
the GMDAS rule. GMDAS is the correct order of
Series of
operations that must be followed to simplify problems
Operations
involving multiple operations.

Parenthesis or Do the operations inside the grouping symbols first.

Grouping Grouping symbols are parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], and
braces { }.
After simplifying the operations inside the grouping
Multiplication symbols, do multiplication and division from left to
or Division right. This means that when there are multiple
operations for multiplication and division, simplify the
one that comes first.

After doing multiplication and division, do addition and

Addition or
subtraction from left to right. This means that when
Subtraction
there are multiple operations for addition and
subtraction, simplify the one that comes first.

Key to Let’s Practice!

Lesson 1
1.
a. Divide 18 by 6.
b. Multiply the quotient by 2.
c. Add the product to 34.
d. Subtract 1 from the sum. 23
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2.
a. Simplify the expressions inside the parenthesis.
b. Divide 12 by 6, and add the quotient to 14.
c. Multiply the product by 2, and subtract 2.

3.
a. Simplify the expression inside the innermost grouping symbol.
b. Add 4 and 1, then subtract the sum by 2.
c. Multiply 3 and 3, then subtract the product by 3.

4. The expression is 5 200 − (340 + 2 × 360 + 2 × 540) and Darwin had

₱3 060 at the end of the shopping day.

Lesson 2
1. 20
2. 2 + 10 − 6
3. Yes, both expression are equal to 128.
4. The expression is [(5 × 700) + (20 − 5) × 500] × 5, and the company
spends ₱55 500 for the salaries per week.

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References

Boloji. “The Importance of Order.” Accessed March 21, 2018.

http://www.boloji.com/articles/2312/daily-battle-against-chaos-why-
order-is-so-important

Cambridge Dictionary. “Order”. Accessed March 21, 2018.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/order

Oxford Dictionary. “Order”. Accessed March 21, 2018.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/order

Purplemath. “Order of Operations.” Accessed March 21, 2018.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops.htm

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