Order of Operations
⭐ MasteredDo brackets first, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction. So 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, not 20.
The saying BODMAS or PEMDAS helps remember the order.
All about Order of Operations
The order of operations tells you which calculations to do first in a sum. The usual order is brackets, then indices (powers), then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right. Many people remember it with BIDMAS or BODMAS.
For example, 2 + 3 × 4 equals 14, not 20, because the multiplication is done first. Brackets change the order: (2 + 3) × 4 equals 20.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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Real-life uses of Order of Operations
- Calculating the correct answer on a calculator
- Writing maths formulas for science and games
- Working out the cost of several items with a discount
Frequently asked questions about Order of Operations
What does BIDMAS stand for?
Brackets, Indices, Division and Multiplication (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right).
Why do multiplication and division come before addition?
It is a set convention so that everyone gets the same answer from the same expression.
What is 10 − 4 + 2?
8. Subtraction and addition have equal priority, so work from left to right.