What does BODMAS stand for?

BODMAS stands for Brackets, Order (powers and roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. It is a memory aid for the order in which you carry out the operations in a sum.

Why is 3 + 4 × 2 equal to 11 and not 14?

Multiplication is done before addition, so you work out 4 × 2 = 8 first, then add 3 to get 11. Only if there were brackets, as in (3 + 4) × 2, would you add first and get 14.

Do you always work from left to right?

Only when the operations are on the same level. Division and multiplication are worked left to right among themselves, and addition and subtraction are worked left to right among themselves — but higher-ranked operations like brackets and multiplication are still done before lower-ranked ones.

What is the difference between BODMAS and PEMDAS?

They describe the exact same rule using different words. PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) is common in the US, while BODMAS is used in Singapore and the UK. Brackets/parentheses and order/exponents mean the same things.

Why do we even need a rule for the order of operations?

Without a fixed order, the same sum could give different answers depending on who solves it. The order of operations makes sure every person reaches one agreed correct answer.

Order Of Operations (BODMAS)

Math Interactive lesson Free to play

Order of operations is the agreed set of rules that decides which calculation to do first when a sum mixes different operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In Singapore primary maths it is often remembered as BODMAS: Brackets, Order (powers and indices), Division and Multiplication, then Addition and Subtraction. The rule exists because a sum like 3 + 4 × 2 would otherwise give two different answers depending on where you start — working strictly left to right gives 14, but the correct answer is 11 because multiplication is done before addition.

The key ideas a learner grasps are that brackets always come first and can change an answer completely — (3 + 4) × 2 = 14, while 3 + 4 × 2 = 11; that multiplication and division rank above addition and subtraction; and that operations on the same level are worked from left to right, not by which symbol looks more important. Mastering this order is essential for word problems, algebra, and any multi-step calculation later in school, and it ensures everyone arrives at the same, single correct answer.

▶ Play the lesson — free, no signup

What this Spark covers

A maths puzzle

Which answer is right? 🤔 Two friends solved the SAME sum and got DIFFERENT answers! 3+4×2=? 🧒 Aisha went left to right: 3 + 4 = 7, then 7 × 2 = 14 👦 Ben did the × first: 4 × 2 = 8, then 3 + 8 = 11 Only one can be correct. So who decides the order? Maths has a rulebook called BODMAS. Let's learn it! 👉
Meet BODMAS

BODMAS — the order rule 🪜 BODMAS tells you what to do first. Climb DOWN the ladder, top to bottom. Tap each rung to see what it means. BBrackets ( )do these first OOrders (powers)like 3² and √ DMDivide & Multiplyleft → right ASAdd & Subtractleft → right, last Tap a rung to learn what it does ☝️ Tip: DM and AS are partners — they share one step each.
Multiply beats add

Back to Aisha & Ben 🏁 In 3 + 4 × 2, BODMAS says × comes before +. So which part do we solve FIRST? Tap the part that goes first. 3+ 4 × 2 3 + 4 (Tap the calculation that BODMAS does first.)
Brackets change everything

Brackets are the boss 👑 Put brackets around 3 + 4 and the answer changes! Brackets always go first. (3+4)×2 ▶ Solve it step by step Same numbers, different brackets: 👀 3 + 4 × 2 = 11 but (3 + 4) × 2 = 14 The brackets told us to add first!
Build the order

Put the steps in order 🧩 For 20 − 2 × (1 + 4), tap the steps in the order BODMAS wants. Start with the boss! 20−2×(1 + 4) 1 + 4 2 × 5 20 − 10 Tap the step that comes FIRST…
You try it

Your turn, BODMAS expert! 💪 Solve using BODMAS: 6+12÷3 Remember: ÷ before +. 6 10 9
You did it! 🎉

You cracked the code! 🏆 Whenever a sum has different operations, follow the ladder: ( )Bracketsfirst 3²Orderspowers × ÷Multiply/Divideleft → right + −Add/Subtractlast 🌟 Two big memory tricks: 1️⃣ × and ÷ always beat + and −. 2️⃣ Brackets jump the queue — always first! You're now an Order of Operations champion. Go show a friend the 3 + 4 × 2 trick! 🎈

Frequently asked questions

What does BODMAS stand for?: BODMAS stands for Brackets, Order (powers and roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. It is a memory aid for the order in which you carry out the operations in a sum.
Why is 3 + 4 × 2 equal to 11 and not 14?: Multiplication is done before addition, so you work out 4 × 2 = 8 first, then add 3 to get 11. Only if there were brackets, as in (3 + 4) × 2, would you add first and get 14.
Do you always work from left to right?: Only when the operations are on the same level. Division and multiplication are worked left to right among themselves, and addition and subtraction are worked left to right among themselves — but higher-ranked operations like brackets and multiplication are still done before lower-ranked ones.
What is the difference between BODMAS and PEMDAS?: They describe the exact same rule using different words. PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) is common in the US, while BODMAS is used in Singapore and the UK. Brackets/parentheses and order/exponents mean the same things.
Why do we even need a rule for the order of operations?: Without a fixed order, the same sum could give different answers depending on who solves it. The order of operations makes sure every person reaches one agreed correct answer.

Order Of Operations (BODMAS)

What this Spark covers

Frequently asked questions

More Sparks like this