Cogito
Grade 6 Math · Chapter 5 · Lesson 1
Exponents and Order of Operations
Which part of an expression happens first.
10 problems · about 17 minutes · 6.EE.A.1
What this lesson teaches
The child writes and evaluates expressions with whole-number exponents and applies the order of operations.
- An exponent counts how many times a number multiplies itself.
- Brackets, then exponents, then multiply and divide, then add and subtract.
- Equal-ranking operations run left to right.
Warm-Up Review
From earlier lessons. Loosen up before the new work.
2 problemsReview — Distance on the Coordinate Plane: Distance from (−3, 2) to (5, 2)?
Answer 8
Why 8 units.
Review — Ordering Negative Numbers: Which is smaller, −7 or −4?
Answer -7
Why −7.
Warm Up
Straightforward practice. Get the method working first.
4 problemsWhat is 5 + 2 × 3²?
Answer 23
Why 23.
What happens first in 4 × (2 + 1)²?
Answer The brackets.
Why Brackets, then the exponent, then the multiplication.
What is 3²?
Answer 9
Why 3 × 3.
What is 2⁴?
Answer 16
Why 2 × 2 × 2 × 2.
Build It Up
The same ideas with more to keep track of.
2 problemsWhat is (2 + 3)²?
Answer 25
Why Brackets first: 5².
What is 20 − 2 × 3²?
Answer 2
Why 9, then 18, then subtract.
Stretch Yourself
Mixed problems. Work out what kind of question it is before you start.
2 problemsThe Power: What is 4³?
Answer 64
Why 64.
In Order: What is 2 + 3 × 4²?
Answer 50
Why 2 + 48 = 50.