Order of operations and brackets · Usually met around P3
Order of operations (BODMAS)
× and ÷ before + and −.
How to do it
Method
× and ÷ before + and −
3 + 4 × 5 = 3 + 20 = 23
One more example
Same level, left to right: 20 − 6 + 4 = 14 + 4 = 18
In full
Multiply and divide before you add and subtract. Operations at the same level go from left to right. 3 + 4 × 5 = 3 + 20 = 23, not 35. Look along the whole line first, find the × and ÷, work those out, then finish the rest.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
5 + 4 × 2
Show the answer and working
Answer: 5 + 4 × 2 = 13
5 + 4 × 2: × and ÷ before + and −, 4 × 2 = 8, 5 + 8 = 13
Example 2
5 × 8 − 4
Show the answer and working
Answer: 5 × 8 − 4 = 36
5 × 8 − 4: × and ÷ before + and −, 5 × 8 = 40, 40 − 4 = 36
Example 3
5 × 8 − 9
Show the answer and working
Answer: 5 × 8 − 9 = 31
5 × 8 − 9: × and ÷ before + and −, 5 × 8 = 40, 40 − 9 = 31
Practise it in the game →Order of operations and brackets · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download