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Order of Operations (BODMAS)

Learn the correct order to solve maths expressions using BODMAS: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.

Last updated: 27 February 2026

★★☆☆☆ Level 2mathAlgebrabodmasorder-of-operationsarithmetic4 min read

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What Is BODMAS?

When a maths expression has more than one operation — like addition, multiplication, or brackets — you need to know which to do first. Without a rule, different people could get different answers!

BODMAS tells us the correct order:

LetterStands forExample
BBrackets(3+2)(3 + 2)
OOrders (powers/roots)232^3
DDivision10÷210 \div 2
MMultiplication4×34 \times 3
AAddition7+57 + 5
SSubtraction9−49 - 4

Division and Multiplication are equal — work them left to right. The same applies to Addition and Subtraction.

Note

BODMAS is also called PEMDAS in the United States (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction). Both rules give the same answer!

How To Use BODMAS

Work through an expression step by step, always following the BODMAS order.

Example 1: Calculate 3+4×23 + 4 \times 2.

  1. No brackets or orders.
  2. Multiplication first: 4×2=84 \times 2 = 8
  3. Then addition: 3+8=113 + 8 = \mathbf{11}

Example 2: Calculate (6+2)×3−4(6 + 2) \times 3 - 4.

  1. Brackets first: (6+2)=8(6 + 2) = 8
  2. Expression is now 8×3−48 \times 3 - 4
  3. Multiplication: 8×3=248 \times 3 = 24
  4. Subtraction: 24−4=2024 - 4 = \mathbf{20}

Example 3: Calculate 23+6÷32^3 + 6 \div 3.

  1. Orders first: 23=82^3 = 8
  2. Division: 6÷3=26 \div 3 = 2
  3. Addition: 8+2=108 + 2 = \mathbf{10}
Tip

Always scan the expression from left to right and highlight the operation you need to do next. Crossing out completed steps helps you keep track.

Practice Examples

Work through these in the correct BODMAS order.

Example: 10−2×3+110 - 2 \times 3 + 1

  • Multiplication: 2×3=62 \times 3 = 6
  • Left to right: 10−6+1=4+1=510 - 6 + 1 = 4 + 1 = \mathbf{5}

Example: (5+3)2÷4(5 + 3)^2 \div 4

  • Brackets: 5+3=85 + 3 = 8
  • Order: 82=648^2 = 64
  • Division: 64÷4=1664 \div 4 = \mathbf{16}
Warning

Never add or subtract before multiplying or dividing — unless those operations are inside brackets. 2+3×42 + 3 \times 4 is 1414, not 2020.

Real world: spreadsheet formula

In a spreadsheet, a shop owner types = 5 + 3 * 4 to calculate a price. Without BODMAS rules, the spreadsheet would give 32 (wrong); with them it gives 5+12=175 + 12 = 17 (correct). Programming languages and calculators all follow BODMAS, so understanding the rule is essential for using any computational tool.

Real world: electricity bill calculation

A household uses 3 appliances: one uses 200 W for 4 hours, another 150 W for 2 hours. Total energy: 200×4+150×2=800+300=1100 Wh200 \times 4 + 150 \times 2 = 800 + 300 = 1100\text{ Wh}. BODMAS ensures the multiplications are done before the addition, giving the correct total.

Real world: compound discount

A coat costs €80. A shop applies a 10% discount and then a further €5 cashback. Correct calculation (BODMAS): 80×0.9−5=72−5=67 EUR80 \times 0.9 - 5 = 72 - 5 = 67\text{ EUR}. Doing addition/subtraction before multiplication would give the wrong answer (€67.5 vs €67).

Tip When in doubt, add brackets to make the order explicit. 3+4×23 + 4 \times 2 is less clear to a reader than 3+(4×2)3 + (4 \times 2), even though both give 11 under BODMAS.

Practice Problems

Calculate: $5 + 3 \times 4$

Show answer
Multiply first: $3 \times 4 = 12$. Then add: $5 + 12 = 17$.

Calculate: $(8 - 3) \times 2 + 6 \div 3$

Show answer
Brackets: $8 - 3 = 5$. Multiply: $5 \times 2 = 10$. Divide: $6 \div 3 = 2$. Add: $10 + 2 = 12$.