What is the simplest tip you will give to young students who want to master BODMAS?

In one line

The rule

The BODMAS rule tells you the order to solve operations in a maths problem: Brackets first, then Orders (powers and roots), then Division, Multiplication, Addition, and finally Subtraction.

No formula, just the order: B → O → D → M → A → S

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you are making a sandwich. You must put the bread first, then butter, then the filling, and finally close it. If you mix up the order, the sandwich will be a mess! Maths is the same. If you do the steps in the wrong order, you get the wrong answer. BODMAS is your recipe for solving sums correctly.

How it works

1. Look for Brackets ( ), [ ], { } and solve what’s inside first.
2. Next, solve any Orders (like 2², √9).
3. Then do Division (÷) from left to right.
4. After that, do Multiplication (×) from left to right.
5. Then, do Addition (+) from left to right.
6. Last, do Subtraction (−) from left to right.

Where you see it in real life

• Splitting a bill: If you and 3 friends buy 2 pizzas and 4 drinks, you must multiply and add before dividing the total.
• Shopping discounts: If a shirt is 20% off and then GST is added, you must do the percentage first, then the tax.
• Cooking: If a recipe says (2 cups rice + 3 cups water) × 4, you add first, then multiply.
• Cricket scores: If a batsman hits (4×6) + (3×4), you multiply first, then add to get the total runs.

Why it matters

• Helps you get the right answer in maths problems.
• Used in all exams, from school to competitive tests.
• Needed for science, accounts, and even coding.
• Makes you faster and more confident in calculations.

Worked example

Given: 8 + 2 × (3² − 1)
Step 1: Brackets first: (3² − 1) = (9 − 1) = 8
Step 2: Orders: 3² = 9 (already done above)
Step 3: Multiplication: 2 × 8 = 16
Step 4: Addition: 8 + 16 = 24
Answer: 24

Common mistakes

• Doing addition before multiplication. Always multiply/divide before adding/subtracting.
• Ignoring brackets. Always solve brackets first.
• Forgetting to go left to right for division and multiplication.

Remember it

Remember: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction — just like the word BODMAS!