Support your class in mastering BODMAS using this Year 6 order of operations worksheet. It begins with a tick-box task where children must decide if each pre-solved equation is correct or not, encouraging careful checking of each calculation step. Pupils then move on to solve a range of expressions involving brackets, multiplication and subtraction, before applying their understanding to problems that require the insertion of brackets to make the statement true. A final question challenges learners to reason about how an expression could be used to fairly divide cakes between people, blending calculation with real-life logic.
Key Curriculum Focus
This KS2 calculation worksheet aligns with the national curriculum by supporting:
- Using the order of operations accurately in written problems
- Solving multi-step number problems involving brackets and mixed operations
- Developing reasoning about structure and number sentences
This Year 6 order of operations worksheet reinforces understanding of BODMAS rules and builds confidence applying them to both standalone expressions and real-world contexts. By including varied question types—tick boxes, open calculations, and bracket placement—it deepens understanding and promotes methodical thinking.
Order of Operations in Year 6 Maths
The order of operations tells us which calculations to do first when more than one appears in a number sentence. BODMAS stands for Brackets, Orders (powers and roots), Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. In Year 6, children learn to apply this rule to solve problems such as 5 + 3 × 2 by calculating the multiplication before the addition. Brackets can be added to change the meaning of a calculation and help structure more complex number problems.
Activity Idea: Bracket Builder
Give pupils mini whiteboards and a number sentence without brackets, such as 6 + 2 × 5 − 3. Ask them to experiment with where they could insert brackets to change the answer. This helps develop understanding of structure and encourages mathematical creativity.
Explore more Year 6 maths resources
To continue developing logical reasoning with number expressions, have a look at our Year 6 Prime Numbers Worksheet, which challenges pupils to recognise primes through visual patterns and numerical thinking. Explore our full collection of Year 6 maths worksheets to help your class strengthen their confidence across a wide range of KS2 mathematics.
