Missing Factors Matching Activity

This order of operations worksheet engages students in evaluating four-step expressions with missing factors using a matching format. Learners apply PEMDAS to compute known parts of each expression, reason backward to find the missing value, and then match their solution to an answer bank, reinforcing both accuracy and verification skills.

Instructional Objectives

• Skill Focus (Grades 6-8): Solve four-step numerical expressions by determining missing factors using correct order-of-operations rules.
• Conceptual Understanding (Grades 6-8): Analyze how parentheses and operation hierarchy influence expression structure and outcomes.
• Algebraic Reasoning (Grades 7-8): Use symbolic and reverse reasoning to identify unknown values within multi-step expressions.
• Curriculum Alignment (Grades 6-8): Supports multi-step expression evaluation, solving for missing numbers, operational reasoning, and accuracy-focused problem solving standards.

The matching format adds an extra layer of reasoning by requiring students to verify their results against provided options. This built-in feedback encourages careful analysis, error checking, and efficient computation while keeping students actively engaged.

Learning Benefits

• Reinforces reverse reasoning and symbolic thinking
• Encourages accuracy through verification and matching
• Provides immediate feedback to support self-checking
• Effective for practice, enrichment, or algebra readiness

This printable worksheet offers engaging, structured practice that helps students master missing-factor problems while strengthening confidence with four-step expressions and the order of operations.

This worksheet is part of our 4-Step Order of Operations Worksheets collection.