Example 1 · Respect the operation order
Calculate \(5.4+1.2\times3\).
Show the reasoning
Multiply first.
\[1.2\times3=3.6,\qquad 5.4+3.6=9.\]Adding first would answer a different expression with brackets.
Year 7 · Decimals
Decimal calculations in context
Choose the operations, follow their order, and give a rounded answer with suitable units.
8 questions in the first lesson. Allow about 10–15 minutes at your own pace. More short sets are available below.
Understand the method
Evaluate brackets first, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction. Work from left to right between operations with equal priority.
For a word problem, identify what each number measures and write a calculation before entering an answer. Keep units in your written working.
Round only the final result. To give three decimal places, keep three digits after the point, including final zeros. For a price to the nearest cent, give exactly two decimal places.
If the next digit is \(5\) or more, increase the last retained digit by one. For example, \(0.7\) written to three decimal places is \(0.700\).
Worked examples
Example 2 · Round a price once
A mass of \(3.45\text{ kg}\) costs \(\$1.27\) per kilogram. Find the cost to the nearest cent.
Show the reasoning
\[3.45\times1.27=4.3815.\]Keep the exact product until the final step. The third decimal digit is \(1\), so the cost is \(\$4.38\).
Check your method
- Adding before multiplying when there are no brackets.
- Using the correct numbers with the wrong operation.
- Giving an unrounded product as a final price.
- Leaving off zeros when a fixed number of decimal places is requested.
Review after a break
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Exercises include the supplied Year 7 Decimal Calculations collection. Lessons, explanations and additional understanding checks were prepared with AI assistance. Teacher review pending.