Order of Operations

Two-Step Word Problem

24 stickers, give away 8, then split the rest equally into 4 groups. Step 1: 24 − 8 = 16 stickers left. Step 2: 16 ÷ 4 = 4 per group.

Example

Translate 24 minus 8, then divide by 4. Word problems are solved by turning the described actions into operations in the order the words imply, then evaluating them with the usual rules. Naming the intermediate result of the first step makes the second step clear, so the arithmetic mirrors the situation the sentence describes.

highlighted = computed this step

Step 1 — Translate words

Write the expression to solve.

(24−8)÷4( 24 - 8 ) \div 4
Start with 24, give away 8, then split the rest into 4 groups.start24 stickersgive away 8left--subtract firstsplit into 4 groups--------per group--divide next

Step 2 — Subtract first

First subtract: 24 - 8 = 16.

16÷4\hl{16} \div 4
First find what is left: 24 - 8 = 16.start24 stickersgive away 8left1624 - 8 = 16split into 4 groups--------per group--divide next

Step 3 — Divide

Then divide: 16 ÷ 4 = 4.

4\hl{4}
Then split the 16 left into 4 equal groups.start24 stickersgive away 8left1624 - 8 = 16split into 4 groups4444per group--divide next

Step 4 — Result

Read the final answer.

44
Each group gets 4.start24 stickersgive away 8left1624 - 8 = 16split into 4 groups4444per group416 ÷ 4 = 4
two-step-problems Some word problems require two separate calculations. Read the problem carefully to identify what each step computes, carry the result from step 1 into step 2, and make sure the final answer answers the question asked.