Algebraic Analysis

This order of operations worksheet strengthens student understanding by focusing on error analysis in two-step expressions. Learners examine worked solutions, determine whether each is correct, and-when errors appear-identify the mistake and compute the correct answer using proper PEMDAS reasoning.

Instructional Objectives

• Skill Focus (Grades 5-7): Evaluate two-step numerical expressions using the correct order of operations.
• Conceptual Understanding (Grades 5-7): Recognize how parentheses affect operation order and why incorrect sequencing leads to errors.
• Algebraic Reasoning (Grades 6-7): Analyze incorrect solutions, explain the source of the error, and justify corrected steps.
• Curriculum Alignment (Grades 5-7): Supports error detection, multi-step expression evaluation, order of operations mastery, and mathematical justification standards.

By analyzing completed work rather than only solving problems, students engage in metacognitive thinking about how and why procedures work. This approach helps learners identify common mistakes-such as ignoring parentheses or reversing operation order-and strengthens long-term accuracy.

Learning Benefits

• Builds strong error-analysis and correction skills
• Reinforces disciplined, step-by-step use of PEMDAS
• Encourages explanation and justification of reasoning
• Effective for guided lessons, review, or formative assessment

This printable worksheet provides meaningful practice with evaluating and correcting two-step expressions, helping students develop precision, confidence, and deeper conceptual understanding of order-of-operations rules.

This worksheet is part of our 2-Step Order of Operations Worksheets collection.