What happens if you do not follow BODMAS or PEMDAS?

In one line

If you do not follow BODMAS or PEMDAS, you will get the wrong answer in maths problems.

The rule

BODMAS (or PEMDAS) tells us the order in which to solve operations in a maths expression: Brackets, Orders (like squares), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.

BODMAS stands for: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
PEMDAS stands for: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you are making tea. If you add tea leaves before water, or sugar before boiling, the taste changes. There is a correct order. Maths is the same. If you do not follow the order (BODMAS/PEMDAS), your answer will be wrong, just like tea made in the wrong way.

With and Without BODMAS

Step	With BODMAS	Without BODMAS
Expression	6 + 2 × 3	6 + 2 × 3
Step 1	2 × 3 = 6	6 + 2 = 8
Step 2	6 + 6 = 12	8 × 3 = 24
Final Answer	12	24

How it works

Brackets/Parentheses: Solve anything inside ( ) or [ ] first.
Orders/Exponents: Next, solve squares (like 2²), cubes, or roots.
Division and Multiplication: Then, do division (÷) and multiplication (×), from left to right.
Addition and Subtraction: Last, do addition (+) and subtraction (−), from left to right.
If you mix up the order, you change the meaning of the expression and get a different answer.

Order of Operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS)

Brackets/Parentheses first
Orders/Exponents next
Division and Multiplication (left to right)
Addition and Subtraction (left to right)

The story behind it

Long ago, as maths grew harder, people needed a rule so everyone solved problems the same way. Mathematicians agreed on this order. In India, we call it BODMAS. In America, it is called PEMDAS. This rule keeps maths fair and clear for everyone.

Where you see it in real life

Shopping bills: If you do not add and multiply in the right order, you may pay the wrong amount.
Cooking recipes: Like measuring ingredients, the order changes the final dish.
Splitting a cricket score: Calculating run rates or averages needs the right order.
Mobile recharge offers: Calculating discounts and taxes must follow the correct steps.
Exam marks calculation: Adding and dividing marks for averages must be done in order.

Why it matters

Correct answers: Exams, jobs, and daily life need the right answer.
Programming: Computers follow strict order—wrong order gives wrong results.
Science and engineering: Calculations in machines, buildings, and medicine depend on it.
Competitive exams: Many questions test if you follow BODMAS/PEMDAS.

Worked example

Let’s see what happens if you do not follow the rule:

Expression: 6 + 2 × 3

Correct way (BODMAS):
Step 1: Do multiplication first: 2 × 3 = 6
Step 2: Add: 6 + 6 = 12

Wrong way (no BODMAS):
Step 1: Add first: 6 + 2 = 8
Step 2: Multiply: 8 × 3 = 24

Correct answer: 12
Wrong answer: 24

Common mistakes

Doing addition before multiplication: Always multiply/divide before adding/subtracting.
Ignoring brackets: Always solve inside brackets first.
Left-to-right confusion: For multiplication and division, or addition and subtraction, go left to right if both appear together.