5th Grade · Operations & Algebraic Thinking
5.OA.A.1: Solve problems with parentheses and brackets, working inside first
5.OA.A.1 is a 5th grade Common Core math standard in Operations & Algebraic Thinking. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The standard
Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
In plain words
Solve problems with parentheses and brackets, working inside first.
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
Question 1 of 3
Work out (25 - 5) × 3.
- 10
- 70
- 60
Where students can get stuck
- Working straight from left to right and ignoring the parentheses, so 4 × (2 + 3) becomes 8 + 3 = 11 instead of 20.
- Starting with the outer brackets, so in 3 × [10 − (2 + 4)] they do 10 − 2 first and lose the 4.
- Reading a memory phrase as "always multiply before dividing," so 12 ÷ 2 × 3 becomes 2 instead of 18.
Effective teaching strategies
- Have students circle the parentheses in 4 × (2 + 3), solve inside first, and then compare the result with 4 × 2 + 3 to see that grouping changes the value.
- Model an expression with nested symbols, such as 3 × [10 − (2 + 4)], by solving the innermost group first and rewriting the expression after each step.
- Ask students to evaluate 12 ÷ 2 × 3 by working left to right, so they see that multiplication and division are done in the order they appear.
Units that teach this standard
Find where 5.OA.A.1 lands in the program you teach. Each unit has a guide written for families. Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence.
Bridges in Mathematics
enVision Mathematics
Eureka Math
Eureka Math²
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
Math Expressions
Don’t see your curriculum? Contact Bobby and we’ll see if we can help!
Share it with families
Families can read Solving number sentences with parentheses for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice problem solving at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free for every family.
See how it works for teachers
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.