← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Operations on numbers: + - * /

The four maths operators for numbers: + adds, - subtracts, * multiplies and / divides. Each one works on two numbers and gives back a new number as the answer.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Representing Data with Numbers — Module 43

Understanding Operations on numbers: + - * / in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The + operator adds the two numbers together, so 8 + 5 gives 13, which is also a number. Computers use the star * for multiplying. The letter x is not a maths operator in code. On a keyboard we type / to divide. The ÷ sign is not used in code. The * operator multiplies, so 3 * 5 gives 15. Adding 3 + 5 would give 8. Code uses the symbol + between the two numbers. The word plus is not an operator. 10 * 2 is 20. But 10 / 2 is only 5. Computers divide with the / symbol so 12 / 3 gives the number 4.

Common mistakes: The letter x is not a maths operator in code. To multiply two numbers you use *, so the line should be total = boxes * 6. The number left after giving 5 away is found by subtracting. Adding would make more pens. It should be left = pens - 5.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 85–104) and word search (Modules 73–104).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which symbol do we use to multiply two numbers in code?
*x
Matches
3 x 4
↓
The letter x is not a maths operator in code. Use the * symbol to multiply, like 3 * 4.
Applying
Meanings
Term
+ - * /
Meaning
The four maths operators for numbers: + adds, - subtracts, * multiplies and / divides. Each one works on two numbers and gives back a new number as the answer.
Practice
console.log(12 + 8);
Testing
Gaps
print(6 4)
Check Answer
Spots
1boxes = 4
2total = boxes x 6

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Quick Questions

1. Which symbol do we use to multiply two numbers in code?
A. * ✓
B. x
Computers use the star * for multiplying. The letter x is not a maths operator in code.
2. Which symbol do we use to divide two numbers in code?
A. ÷
B. / ✓
On a keyboard we type / to divide. The ÷ sign is not used in code.
3. What is the answer to 6 + 4?
A. 10 ✓
B. 24
The + operator adds the two numbers, so 6 + 4 gives 10. Multiplying would give 24.
4. What is the answer to 3 * 5?
A. 8
B. 15 ✓
The * operator multiplies, so 3 * 5 gives 15. Adding 3 + 5 would give 8.
5. What is the answer to 20 / 4?
A. 5 ✓
B. 80
The / operator divides, so 20 / 4 gives 5. Multiplying would give 80.

Match the Pairs

6 * 7 → Multiplies 6 by 7 and gives the number 42
20 / 4 → Divides 20 by 4 and gives the number 5
Adding two numbers with + gives a new number as the answer → 8 + 5
Subtracting one number from another with - gives a number as the answer → 10 - 3
3 x 4 → The letter x is not a maths operator in code. Use the * symbol to multiply, like 3 * 4.
12 รท 3 → The รท symbol is not on the keyboard and does not work in code. Use / to divide, like 12 / 3.

Key Term

+ - * /
The four maths operators for numbers: + adds, - subtracts, * multiplies and / divides. Each one works on two numbers and gives back a new number as the answer.

Fill in the Blanks

1. print(6 + 4)
Hint: Type the operator that adds two numbers together.
2. print(7 * 3)
Hint: Type the operator that multiplies two numbers.
3. print(20 / 4)
Hint: Type the operator that divides one number by another.
4. left = 8 - 3 print(left)
Hint: Type the operator that subtracts. The answer is stored as a number.
5. cost = 5 qty = 2 total = cost * qty
Hint: Type the variable name that holds the price of one item.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A boxes = 4
B total = boxes x 6
C print(total)
Line B — The letter x is not a maths operator in code. To multiply two numbers you use *, so the line should be total = boxes * 6.
Question 2
A pens = 12
B left = pens + 5
C print(left)
Line B — The number left after giving 5 away is found by subtracting. Adding would make more pens. It should be left = pens - 5.
Question 3
A pizza = 12
B friends = 4
C each = pizza * friends
D print(each)
Line C — Sharing a number equally between friends needs division, not multiplication. It should be each = pizza / friends, which gives 3.
Question 4
A a = 9
B b = 3
C answer = a b
D print(answer)
Line C — There is no operator between a and b, so the computer cannot tell what to do. Add * to multiply: answer = a * b.
Question 5
A 8 + 7 = total
B print(total)
C print(total * 2)
Line A — The variable name goes on the left and the calculation goes on the right. It should be total = 8 + 7 so the answer, 15, is stored in total.

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