PEMDAS Race: an order of operations game
Work out two-operation, bracket and exponent sums in the right order to speed up your car. A free order of operations game for any device. Grades 5–7.
🧒 Kids: Work it out in the right order and tap the answer to make your car zoom! Beat the 3 computer cars to the 🏁 flag.
How to play
- Choose the questions (two operations, brackets, exponents, or a mix) and a speed: Easy, Medium or Hard.
- Press Start the race. A sum appears under the track with three answers to choose from.
- Work it out in the right order and tap the answer. Every right answer moves your car forward.
- A wrong answer stalls your engine for a moment and shows the right answer.
- 15 right answers reach the flag. Beat the three computer cars to win!
What your child practices
The order of operations at speed. Children decide what comes first: × and ÷ before + and −, brackets before everything, and powers straight after brackets (5.OA.A.1 and 6.EE.A.1). One of the wrong answers is always the left-to-right mistake, so a child who works left to right will tap it and see the fix. The results screen lists every missed question with its answer.
Which setting to choose
| Setting | Example | Good for | Learn it first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two operations | 3 + 4 × 2 | Grade 5 | PEMDAS |
| Brackets | (3 + 4) × 2 and 3 × [5 + (9 − 4)] | Grade 5 | parentheses and brackets |
| Exponents | 2 × 3² and (4 + 1)² | Grade 6 | order of operations with exponents |
| Mix of all | any of the above, plus left-to-right sums | Grades 5–7 | left to right |
Grade 5 children should start with two operations, then brackets. Grade 6 children can add exponents, and the mix includes left-to-right sums like 12 ÷ 3 × 2.
Once your child can finish the mixed race on Medium without stalling, the order of operations is secure. Check with the order of operations quiz.
Tips for parents
- Start on Easy. Move up a speed when your child wins twice in a row.
- If the left-to-right answer causes stalls, ask “is there a × or ÷?” before your child taps.
- For exponents, ask “which number does the little 2 belong to?”
- Your best time for each setting is saved on this device. Racing your own best is the real goal.
- Three races a day, about 5 minutes, is plenty.
In the classroom
Put it on the projector and let children call out the answer as a class. Or have them race on tablets with the same settings and compare finishing times. No logins, and no data leaves the device.
More order of operations games and practice
Games: PEMDAS Match · PEMDAS Bingo · all order of operations games · algebra games · integer games · all math games
Print it: the order of operations worksheet, with an answer key, for practice away from the screen.
Practice: order of operations practice · order of operations calculator · order of operations quiz · order of operations levels
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Questions parents ask
How do you play PEMDAS Race?
Work out each sum in the right order and tap the answer to move your car. 15 correct answers reach the finish. Beat the three computer cars to win.
What is in this order of operations game?
Two-operation sums, brackets and nested brackets, exponents, and left-to-right sums like 12 ÷ 3 × 2.
Is PEMDAS Race free?
Yes. It is free, has no ads inside the game and needs no account.
What grade is this order of operations game for?
Grades 5 to 7. Grade 5 starts with two operations and brackets; grade 6 adds exponents.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. The answers are big buttons, so it works well on phones and tablets as well as computers.