July 2, 2026 · Educator · Grades 4–8
Order of Operations Game: The Four Fours Challenge
Looking for an order-of-operations activity that students actually want to do? The Four Fours Challenge asks students to hit target numbers using exactly four 4s — a low-floor, high-ceiling puzzle that turns PEMDAS from a memorized mnemonic into something they need in order to win. It's free, login-free, and aligned to CCSS 5.OA.A.1 and 6.EE.A.1.
Why it teaches order of operations
The same four digits give completely different answers depending on grouping and precedence. Students discover, on their own, that (4 + 4) × (4 + 4) = 64 but 4 + 4 × 4 + 4 = 24. The puzzle makes the rules consequential — and the game's live value readout gives instant, self-correcting feedback every time they change the expression.
Standards alignment
Three ways to run it
Differentiation
Support: limit the toolkit to +, −, ×, ÷ and target 1–10. Every number in that range is reachable with the four basic operations.
Stretch: unlock exponents, factorials, square roots, decimals, and modulo, then push into the 50–100 range where those tools become necessary. Ask advanced students to find the most elegant solution, not just any solution.
Everything you need — free
Launch the live-feedback game or print the worksheet for a no-device day. No accounts, no ads gate.
Related resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What standards does Four Fours cover?
It directly targets CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.OA.A.1 (writing and interpreting expressions with grouping symbols and order of operations) and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.A.1 (whole-number exponents). It also reinforces mental arithmetic and mathematical reasoning across grades 4–8.
Why is Four Fours good for teaching order of operations?
Because the same four digits produce wildly different results depending on grouping and precedence, students get immediate, self-correcting feedback on PEMDAS. (4 + 4) × (4 + 4) = 64 but 4 + 4 × 4 + 4 = 24 — the puzzle makes the rules matter instead of being an abstract mnemonic.
How long does it take in class?
It flexes to any slot. Use one target as a 5-minute bell-ringer, a short set for a 15-minute station, or the full 1–100 ladder as an ongoing challenge students return to over a unit.
Is it really free and login-free?
Yes. The interactive game and the printable worksheet are 100% free with no account required. Progress saves locally on the device, so students can pick up where they left off.