6th grade · Math · Unit 6 of 21
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.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-6.EE.5; NY-6.EE.6; NY-6.EE.7 · using a letter for an unknown number in a real-world problem, and 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 New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 6 of 21 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.
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
A basketball team had some points at half-time. They scored 20 more and finished with 62 points. Which equation could find n, the half-time score?
- n ÷ 20 = 62
- n − 20 = 62
- n + 20 = 62
- 20n = 62
n + 20 = 62
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 2
What is the value of (9 + 14) × 6?
(9 + 14) × 6 = ?
- 93
- 138
- 68
- 29
138
Hint: Order of operations: brackets first, then × and ÷ from left to right, then + and − from left to right. Brackets first: 9 + 14 = 23. Then multiply by 6.
Question 3
Solve for x.
x − 13 = 53
answer box
66
Hint: Undo subtracting 13: add 13 to both sides. x = 53 + 13.
Question 4
Which step solves x + 7 = 22 for x?
x + 7 = 22
- Subtract 7 from both sides
- Multiply both sides by 7
- Add 7 to both sides
- Divide both sides by 7
Subtract 7 from both sides
Hint: Use the inverse (opposite) operation: subtraction undoes addition, and division undoes multiplication.
Question 5
What is 48 − 10 ÷ 2?
48 − 10 ÷ 2 = ?
answer box
43
Hint: Order of operations: brackets first, then × and ÷ from left to right, then + and − from left to right. Divide first: 10 ÷ 2 = 5. Then subtract it from 48.
Question 6
Solve for n.
n ÷ 2 = 9
answer box
18
Hint: Undo dividing: multiply both sides by 2. n = 9 × 2.