Numerical Expressions Builder
Click number tiles and operator cards to build math expressions. See how parentheses change the answer, translate word descriptions into expressions, and discover the rule behind number patterns.
Expression Builder
Click number tiles and operator cards to build a math expression. See the result update live. Try adding parentheses to change what gets calculated first!
Number Tiles
Operator Cards
Parentheses
Your expression
Result will appear here
Expressions Reference
Order of Operations
Operations are done in this order:
- Parentheses first: (3 + 4) × 2 = 14
- Multiply and Divide next (left to right)
- Add and Subtract last (left to right)
Without parentheses: 3 + 4 × 2 = 3 + 8 = 11
Writing Expressions
A numerical expression uses numbers and operations but no equals sign.
- "Double 5 then subtract 3" means 2 × 5 - 3 = 7
- "Add 4 to 3 and multiply by 2" means (4 + 3) × 2 = 14
- Parentheses show which part to do first
Numerical Patterns
A numerical pattern follows a rule applied over and over.
- Add 3: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13...
- Multiply by 2: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16...
- Subtract 5: 50, 45, 40, 35...
Find the rule by looking at what changes between each pair of numbers.
Common Standards (5.OA)
5.OA.A.1 Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
5.OA.A.2 Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.
5.OA.B.3 Generate two numerical patterns using two given rules. Identify apparent relationships between corresponding terms.