6th grade · Math · Unit 6 of 17
Equations
Order of operations, solve for n
What your child practices
Using the order of operations (brackets, then × and ÷, then + and −) and solving one-step equations like 6n = 42 with inverse operations, including writing equations for word problems.
Alaska content standards learning standard: 6.EE.5; 6.EE.7 · solving one-step equations of the form x + p = q and px = q
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Follow the order of operations: brackets first.
- Then multiply and divide, left to right.
- Then add and subtract, left to right.
Example: 4 + 3 × 2 = ? Multiply first: 3 × 2 = 6. Then add: 4 + 6 = 10. Answer: 10
Equations in Alaska
In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 6 of 17 in 6th grade Math, after Patterns & Graphs and before Perimeter & Area.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which step solves n ÷ 8 = 3 for n?
n ÷ 8 = 3
- Divide both sides by 8
- Add 8 to both sides
- Subtract 8 from both sides
- Multiply both sides by 8
Multiply both sides by 8
Hint: Use the inverse (opposite) operation: subtraction undoes addition, and division undoes multiplication.
Question 2
A class splits into 9 equal teams with 4 students on each team. How many students are in the class?
answer box
36
Hint: Write an equation, like n ÷ 9 = 4. Then use the inverse operation to find n.
Question 3
What is the value of 20 + 2 × 9?
20 + 2 × 9 = ?
- 49
- 198
- 38
- 31
38
Hint: Order of operations: brackets first, then × and ÷ from left to right, then + and − from left to right. Multiply first: 2 × 9 = 18. Then add 20.
Question 4
Leo had some money, spent $16 on a book, and has $9 left. Which equation could find n, the amount Leo started with?
- 16n = 9
- n ÷ 16 = 9
- n − 16 = 9
- n + 16 = 9
n − 16 = 9
Hint: Ask what happens to the unknown amount n: is something added to it, taken away, multiplied or shared? Write that action with n.
Question 5
Solve for m.
m − 34 = 49
answer box
83
Hint: Undo subtracting 34: add 34 to both sides. m = 49 + 34.
Question 6
Solve for k.
k ÷ 9 = 9
answer box
81
Hint: Undo dividing: multiply both sides by 9. k = 9 × 9.