Use parentheses first

5th Grade Math practice: Evaluate (8 + 3) × 4.. Part of expressions and patterns (Expressions and patterns).

~6 min

Work inside parentheses before operations outside.

Solving Inside Parentheses First

Parentheses rule
  • Step 1: (4 + 6) × 3
  • Step 2: (10) × 3
  • Step 3: 30

When an expression contains parentheses, you must perform the operation inside them before you do anything else. Treat the numbers inside the grouping symbols as a single unit to solve first.

💡 Think of parentheses like a package that must be opened before you can do the rest of your work.