P4 Maths: Order Of Operations And Brackets (Paper 4 (error Clinic))

P4 Maths: Order of Operations and Brackets (Paper 4 (error clinic))

2026-11-15

Tutor Prep Guide · multiplication before addition; brackets first; nested brackets; word problems

P4 Maths: Order of Operations and Brackets (Paper 4 (error clinic))

Paper 4 (error clinic): ten mixed-operation questions on multiplication before addition, brackets first, nested brackets and word problems, with answers and one-line notes.

Direct answers　Level: P4 maths; format: order of operations, brackets first, nested brackets, and word problems.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10
Suggested time	20
Difficulty mix	Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: P4 Maths: Order of Operations and Brackets
Level	P4

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationWork out 4 + 6 x 3.
FoundationWork out (4 + 6) x 3.
FoundationWork out 50 – 12 / 3.
IntermediateWork out (7 + 5) / 4.
IntermediateWork out 9 x (10 – 4).
IntermediateWork out 60 / (2 + 3).
ChallengeWork out 15 + 5 x (8 – 6).
ChallengeWork out 100 – (3 + 7) x 4.
ChallengeWork out 36 / (9 – 3) + 8.
Error redoA pupil works out (6 + 4) x 2 as 16. What went wrong?

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	22.	Multiply first: 6 x 3 = 18, then 4 + 18 = 22.
2	30.	The brackets give 10, and 10 x 3 = 30.
3	46.	Divide first: 12 / 3 = 4, then 50 – 4 = 46.
4	3.	The brackets give 12, and 12 / 4 = 3.
5	54.	The brackets give 6, and 9 x 6 = 54.
6	12.	The brackets give 5, and 60 / 5 = 12.
7	25.	The brackets give 2, then 5 x 2 = 10 and 15 + 10 = 25.
8	60.	The brackets give 10, then 10 x 4 = 40 and 100 – 40 = 60.
9	14.	The brackets give 6, then 36 / 6 = 6 and 6 + 8 = 14.
10	It should be 20.	The pupil multiplied only the 6; the bracket gives 10, and 10 x 2 = 20.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

Check the answers; for a wrong item, circle the brackets and rewrite the steps in order.Tutor Registration →

Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.