JENECONKMaths Universe

Order of Operations (BODMAS)

Ages 9–14

Difficulty adapts to you

Order of Operations (BODMAS)

When an expression has more than one operation, BODMAS tells you the order: Brackets first, then Orders (powers), then Division and Multiplication (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right).

Your goals

  • ✓You can learn the correct order: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
  • ✓You can use expression, BODMAS correctly.
  • ✓You can work through division and multiplication left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right.

Words to know

expression:
Numbers, symbols, and operations written together without an equals sign.
BODMAS:
Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction.

Examples

  • 13 + 4 × 2 = 3 + 8 = 11 (multiply before add!)
  • 2(3 + 4) × 2 = 7 × 2 = 14 (brackets first!)

More than one way to solve it

Try each method, then choose the one you can explain and check most clearly.

Method 1

BODMAS checklist

Best for: Systematic written solutions
  1. 1.Calculate brackets.
  2. 2.Evaluate orders or powers.
  3. 3.Do division and multiplication left to right.
  4. 4.Do addition and subtraction left to right.

Example: 18 - 2 × (3 + 1) = 18 - 2 × 4 = 10.

Method 2

Expression tree

Best for: Complex nested expressions
  1. 1.Find the main operation.
  2. 2.Split the expression into branches.
  3. 3.Evaluate from the smallest branches upward.

Example: For 6 + 3 × 4, multiplication forms one branch before adding 6.

Check these

  • • Do not always do multiplication before division instead of working left to right.
  • • Keep every number, symbol, label, and unit in its correct place.
  • • Choose the method that makes each step easiest to explain and check.

Helpful habits

  • • Read the whole question before choosing what to do.
  • • Show one clear step at a time and check each step.
  • • If you are stuck, draw a model, try smaller numbers, or revisit the example.

Now try your own

Create your own order of operations (bodmas) example, solve it, and explain how you checked it.

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