What happens if you do not follow BODMAS?

In one line

The rule

BODMAS is the rule that tells us the order to solve different operations in a maths expression: Brackets, Orders (powers, roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.

There is no formula, but the order is: B → O → D → M → A → S

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you are making a sandwich. If you put the butter after the bread, it works. But if you put the butter before the bread, it makes a mess! In maths, the order you do things matters too. BODMAS tells you the right order, just like a recipe.

Try this: 2 + 3 × 4. If you add first (2 + 3 = 5, then 5 × 4 = 20), you get 20. But if you multiply first (3 × 4 = 12, then 2 + 12 = 14), you get 14. Only one is correct!

How it works

1. Look for Brackets and solve them first.
2. Next, do Orders (like squares or square roots).
3. Then, do Division and Multiplication (from left to right).
4. Last, do Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
5. Always follow this order, or your answer will be wrong.

The story behind it

The BODMAS rule was made to avoid confusion in maths. Long ago, mathematicians noticed that people got different answers for the same problem if they did not agree on the order. So, they made a rule. In India, we often call it BODMAS, but in other countries, it is called PEMDAS or BIDMAS. The idea is the same everywhere: follow the order!

Where you see it in real life

• Shopping: Calculating total price with discounts and taxes. Wrong order gives wrong bill.
• Cooking: Mixing ingredients in the right order changes the taste, just like BODMAS changes the answer.
• Banking: Calculating interest (first power, then addition).
• Cricket scoring: Calculating run rates (division before addition).
• Splitting bills: Dividing total before adding tip.

Why it matters

• Exams: Many questions test if you know BODMAS. Marks are lost for wrong order.
• Everyday maths: Bills, recipes, and sharing money need correct order.
• Programming: Computers follow BODMAS. Wrong order gives wrong results.
• Higher maths: Algebra, equations, and science formulas all need BODMAS.

Worked example

Given:  8 + 2 × (5 − 1)
Step 1: Solve brackets first   5 − 1 = 4
Step 2: Replace in expression  8 + 2 × 4
Step 3: Do multiplication     2 × 4 = 8
Step 4: Do addition           8 + 8 = 16
Answer: 16

If you did addition first: 8 + 2 = 10, then 10 × 4 = 40 (wrong!).

Common mistakes

• Doing addition before multiplication. Always multiply/divide before add/subtract.
• Ignoring brackets. Brackets come first, always.
• Forgetting left-to-right for same-level operations (like division and multiplication).
• Not checking the whole expression for all operations.

Remember it

"Big Orange Ducks Make Awesome Sandwiches" — BODMAS! Always follow the order.