I am sure you have heard the abbreviation “BODMAS” at least once in your life. I am also certain that it happened to be in a mathematics lecture. While to most of us, mathematics is subject of fear, there are some formulae at our disposal that make it comparatively easier. One such example is the – BODMAS Rule.
BODMAS has proven to be very handy while solving even the most complex mathematical expressions. As someone who has struggled with numbers, I found BODMAS to be a boon and it was responsible for me scoring decent marks in my school life. So, if you are someone who is in the same boat, don’t worry I’ve got you covered! And if you’re someone who takes pride in their mathematical skills, you should still read till the end because brushing up your skills is never a bad idea!
So, let’s begin!
The rule or order that we use to simplify expressions in math is called BODMAS rule. Let’s see what it stands for.
Very simply way to remember BODMAS rule!
B —-> Brackets
O —-> Of (orders :Powers and radicals)
D —-> Division
M —-> Multiplication
A —-> Addition
S —-> Subtraction

Important Notes :
1. In a particular simplification, if you have both multiplication and division, do the operations one by one in the order from left to right.
2. Division does not always come before multiplication. We have to do one by one in the order from left to right.
3. In a particular simplification, if you have both addition and subtraction, do the operations one by one in the order from left to right
Examples :
12 ÷ 3 x 5 = 4 x 5 = 20
13 – 5 + 9 = 8 + 9 = 17
In the above simplification, we have both division and multiplication. From left to right, we have division first and multiplication next. So we do division first and multiplication next.
Solved Problems – BODMAS RULE
Problem 1 :
Evaluate :
6 + 7 x 8
Solution :
Evaluation
= 6 + 7 x 8
= 6 + 56
= 62
|
Operation
Multiplication
Addition
Result
|
Problem 2 :
Evaluate :
102 – 16 ÷ 8
Solution :
Evaluation
= 102 – 16 ÷ 8
= 100 – 16 ÷ 8
= 100 – 2
= 98
|
Operation
Power
Division
Subtraction
Result
|
Problem 3 :
Evaluate :
(25 + 11) x 2
Solution :
Evaluation
= (25 + 11) x 2
= 36 x 2
= 72
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Operation
Bracket
Multiplication
Result
|
Problem 4 :
Evaluate :
3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 -7
Solution :
Evaluation
= 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 -7
= 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 -7
= 3 + 54 ÷ 3 -7
= 3 + 18 -7
= 21 – 7
= 14
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Operation
Bracket
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction
Result
|
Problem 5 :
Evaluate :
56 – 2(20 + 12 ÷ 4 x 3 – 2 x 2) + 10
Solution :
Evaluation
= 56 – 2(20 + 12 ÷ 4 x 3 – 2 x 2) + 10
= 56 – 2(20 + 12 ÷ 4 x 3 – 2 x 2) + 10
= 56 – 2(20 + 3 x 3 – 2 x 2) + 10
= 56 – 2(20 + 9 – 4) + 10
= 56 – 2(29 – 4) + 10
= 56 – 2(25) + 10
= 56 – 50 + 10
= 6 + 10
= 16
|
Operation
Bracket
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Subtraction
Addition
Result
|
Problem 6 :
Evaluate :
6 + [(16 – 4) ÷ (22 + 2)] – 2
Solution :
Evaluation
= 6 + [(16 – 4) ÷ (22 + 2)] – 2
= 6 + [12 ÷ (22 + 2)] – 2
= 6 + [12 ÷ (4 + 2)] – 2
= 6 + [12 ÷ 6] – 2
= 6 + 2 – 2
= 8 – 2
= 6
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Operation
Square Bracket
Power
Bracket
Square Bracket
Addition
Subtraction
Result
|
Problem 7 :
Evaluate :
(96 ÷ 12) + 14 x (12 + 8) ÷ 2
Solution :
Evaluation
= (96 ÷ 12) + 14 x (12 + 8) ÷ 2
= 8 + 14 x 20 ÷ 2
= 8 + 280 ÷ 2
= 8 + 140
= 148
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Operation
Bracket
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Result
|
Problem 8 :
Evaluate :
(93 + 15) ÷ (3 x 4) – 24 + 8
Solution :
Evaluation
= (93 + 15) ÷ (3 x 4) – 24 + 8
= 108 ÷ 12 – 24 + 8
= 9 – 24 + 8
= -15 + 8
= -7
|
Operation
Bracket
Division
Subtraction
Subtraction
Result
|
Problem 9 :
Evaluate :
55 ÷ 11 + (18 – 6) x 9
Solution :
Evaluation
= 55 ÷ 11 + (18 – 6) x 9
= 55 ÷ 11 + 12 x 9
= 5 + 12 x 9
= 5 + 108
= 113
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Operation
Bracket
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Result
|
Problem 10 :
Evaluate :
(7 + 18) x 3 ÷ (2 + 13) – 28
Solution :
Evaluation
= (7 + 18) x 3 ÷ (2 + 13) – 28
= 25 x 3 ÷ 15 – 28
= 75 ÷ 15 – 28
= 5 – 28= -23
|
Operation
Bracket
Multiplication
Division
Subtraction
Result
|
Hope these examples and the explanation regarding the BODMAS rule was beneficial to you. For much such informative yet fun blogs — Top 10 Facts about puzzles