Simplifying · Just Numbers · A4

Brackets first.

Brackets say "do me first." (4 + 5) × 2 is very different from 4 + 5 × 2. Brackets are how we force an addition to happen before a multiplication.

01 / THE IDEA

See it simplify.

One step at a time

Do the strongest operation first.

0 / 2
(4 + 5) × 2
— / WHY IT WORKS

The idea underneath.

Brackets change the order

Evaluate inside brackets before anything else. (4 + 5) × 2 = 18, but 4 + 5 × 2 = 14. Same numbers, different value.

Why it works

Brackets are a "do this first" sticky note.

03 / WORKED EXAMPLES

From easy to tricky.

EX 1easy

(3 + 6) × 4

1

Step

3 + 6 = 9

2

Step

9 × 4 = 36

EX 2medium

(5 + 3) × 2

1

Step

5 + 3 = 8

2

Step

8 × 2 = 16

EX 3hard

5 × (11 - 6)

1

Step

11 - 6 = 5

2

Step

5 × 5 = 25

04 / COMMON TRAPS

Where students slip.

Trap

Ignoring the brackets.

Fix

Brackets are not decoration — they reorder the work.

Trap

Multiplying into only one number in the bracket.

Fix

Finish the bracket first, then multiply the whole result.

05 / QUIZ

Test yourself.

The Test

12 problems across three tiers. Auto-graded on submit. Hints and a full walkthrough on every question. Your work is saved on this device — sign in to keep it across devices.

0/12Answered
How to answerType just the value. Formatting won't trip you up — we ignore spaces, capital letters, commas, and subscript style, so t₁ = 5, d = 3 and t1=5,d=3 both count. For a list of numbers, separate them with commas (e.g. 3, 10, 17).
Core

Core (4)

C1

(3 + 6) × 4

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
C2

(6 + 2) × 3

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
C3

(3 + 2) × 5

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
C4

3 × (9 - 4)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
Apply

Apply (4)

A1

(5 + 3) × 2

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
A2

3 × (12 - 8)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
A3

(5 + 9) × 4

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
A4

3 × (15 - 9)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
Extension

Extension (4)

E1

5 × (11 - 6)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
E2

5 × (14 - 4)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
E3

4 × (18 - 11)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.
E4

2 × (19 - 10)

Need a hint?
  • Do the inside of the brackets first.
  • Then apply the outside operation.