Working with BODMAS Bill Haining presents

Calculate the following: BODMAS? Calculate the following: 2 + 2 x 2 + 2 = If your answer was 10 You were wrong X If your answer was 8 You were correct √ WHY? That's BODMAS

What is BODMAS? BODMAS is a set of mathematic rules you must follow when calculating equations and sums, e.g. 2(10 - 2 x 3) = ? Or 5a(6 - 4) = ? To arrive at the correct answer, there are certain rules you must follow when solving these equations.

The BODMAS rules. 1. Brackets = ( ) anything in brackets must be calculated first. 2. Occurrences = things like powers and roots, e.g. 2² or √2 3. Division 4. Multiply 5. Add 6. Subtract To solve an equation you must follow the BODMAS rules in this order.

BODMAS in action Below is BODMAS in action: 2(10 - 2 x 3) = 1st solve the sum within the brackets. 2(10 – 6) = Next get rid of the brackets by completing the sum 2 x 4 = 8 : Then simply multiply to get the answer Or 3 x 4 - 2(5 - 2) = Brackets 1st 3 x 4 – 2 x 3 = Next multiplication 12 - 6 = 6 : Finally subtract to get the answer

BODMAS in action In certain equations there may be letters added, don’t be put off by these, just follow the BODMAS rules. When presented with letters in an equations, the first thing you need to do is convert these to numbers. Usually there will be a KEY supplied with the question to help you, e.g. KEY: a = 3, b = 4 2b + 3 x 2 = 1st Convert the letter to a number by using the key ( b = 4 ) 2 x 4 + 3 x 2 = Then complete the multiplication 12 + 6 = 18 : Finally add to get the answer Or 5a(6 - 4) = Solve within the brackets first 5 x a x 2 = Next convert the letter to a number by using the key ( a = 3 ) 5 x 3 x 2 = 30 : Finally multiply to get the answer

That’s BODMAS, thank-you and good luck.