Try an Order of Operations Maze! - Free Printable

Let's solve this "Order of Operations Maze" step by step and explain how to find the correct path from START to FINISH using the order of operations (PEMDAS).

---

🔍 Objective:

- Solve each equation in the bubbles.
- Use the correct answer to determine which path to take (the number on the line between bubbles must match the solution).
- Color the correct path from START to FINISH.

---

🧠 Order of Operations (PEMDAS):

1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
4. Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

---

✔ Step-by-Step Solution:

We start at START:
> 18 – (4 + 3)

#### 1. Start:
18 – (4 + 3)
= 18 – 7
= 11

✔ So, we go along the path labeled 11 to the next bubble.

---

#### 2. Next bubble:
(9 × 4) ÷ 6

= (36) ÷ 6
= 6

✔ So, follow the path labeled 6 to the next bubble.

---

#### 3. Next bubble:
(5 × 2) × (5 – 3)

= (10) × (2)
= 20

✔ Follow the path labeled 20.

---

#### 4. Next bubble:
5 + 6 × 3 – 8

Use PEMDAS:
- Multiplication first: 6 × 3 = 18
- Then: 5 + 18 – 8 = 23 – 8 = 15

✔ Follow the path labeled 15.

---

#### 5. Next bubble:
(10 × 4) – 22

= 40 – 22
= 18

✔ Follow the path labeled 18.

---

#### 6. Next bubble:
FINISH!

✔ We’ve reached the finish!

---

🧩 Final Path:

Let’s trace the correct sequence:

1. Start: 18 – (4 + 3) → 11
2. → (9 × 4) ÷ 6 → 6
3. → (5 × 2) × (5 – 3) → 20
4. → 5 + 6 × 3 – 8 → 15
5. → (10 × 4) – 22 → 18
6. → FINISH!

---

🎯 Correct Path:

- 11 → 6 → 20 → 15 → 18 → FINISH

These are the numbers on the connecting lines that should be colored.

---

✘ Why Other Paths Are Wrong:

Let’s briefly check a few incorrect paths:

- From (9×4)÷6 = 6, if you took 24, that would be wrong because 36 ÷ 6 = 6, not 24.
- From (5×2)×(5–3), if you took 10, that would be wrong — it's 20, not 10.
- (6+3)×6 = 54, so any path with 7 or 23 is wrong.

---

✔ Summary:

The correct path through the maze uses these solutions:
| Equation | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 18 – (4 + 3) | 11 |
| (9 × 4) ÷ 6 | 6 |
| (5 × 2) × (5 – 3) | 20 |
| 5 + 6 × 3 – 8 | 15 |
| (10 × 4) – 22 | 18 |

👉 Color the path with numbers: 11 → 6 → 20 → 15 → 18 → FINISH

This is the only correct route using proper order of operations.

---

🎉 You've successfully solved the A-Maze-ing Order of Operations Activity!