Writing Number Sentences

Mathematics · Multiplication & Division · ages 10-11

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Write an expression for: subtract 4 from 15, then multiply by 3.
- 15 − 4 × 3
- 15 × 3 − 4
- (15 − 4) × 3
- (15 × 3) − 4
Which expression correctly shows: add 9 and 3, then multiply the result by 4?
- (9 + 3) × 4
- 9 + 3 × 4
- 9 × 4 + 3
- (9 × 4) + 3
Which number sentence means 'add 5 and 6, then multiply by 3'?
- (5 + 6) × 3
- 5 + (6 × 3)
- 5 × 3 + 6
A number sentence can use brackets to show which part to work out first.
Circle one: True False
What does 5 × (72 − 18) represent?
- the difference of 5 times 72 and 18
- 5 times the difference of 72 and 18
- 72 minus 5 times 18
- 72 divided by 5, minus 18
Which expression shows: multiply 6 by the total of 20 and 5?
- 6 × 20 + 5
- 20 + 6 × 5
- (6 × 20) + 5
- 6 × (20 + 5)
Marta says "double the sum of 12 and 9." Which expression matches?
- 2 × 12 + 9
- 2 × (12 + 9)
- (2 × 12) + 9
- 12 + 9 × 2
Which is larger, without calculating: 5 × (20 + 3) or 3 × (20 + 3)?
- 3 × (20 + 3)
- 5 × (20 + 3)
- They are equal
Priya wants to write 'multiply 6 and 4, then add 9' as a number sentence. She writes 6 × 4 + 9. Is she right?
- No, she needs brackets around 6 × 4
- No, she needs brackets around 4 + 9
- Yes, no brackets are needed here
True or false: 3 × (18932 + 921) is exactly three times as large as 18932 + 921.
Circle one: True False

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

(15 − 4) × 3 · Parentheses around 15 − 4 lock that step together before the × 3 happens.
(9 + 3) × 4 · The parentheses show you add first, then multiply the whole sum by 4.
(5 + 6) × 3 · Brackets around 5 + 6 mean you add first, then multiply by 3.
True · Brackets group part of the sentence so everyone works it out in the same order.
5 times the difference of 72 and 18 · The parentheses group 72 − 18 first, so the 5 multiplies that whole difference.
6 × (20 + 5) · The total of 20 and 5 has to be found first, so it needs its own parentheses before multiplying by 6.
2 × (12 + 9) · Double means multiply by 2, and it applies to the whole sum, not just one number.
5 × (20 + 3) · Both repeat the same bracket amount, but 5 groups of it is more than 3 groups.
Yes, no brackets are needed here · Multiplication already happens before addition, so 6 × 4 + 9 already means 'multiply first, then add'. Brackets around 6 × 4 would work too, but they're not required.
True · Multiplying any amount by 3 makes it three times as large, no matter what the amount inside the parentheses equals.