ORDER OF OPERATIONS

When a calculation involves more than one operation it is important to

do the operations in the right order.

1. Work out the Brackets first. BIDMAS

2. Work out the Indices next. • Brackets
3. Work out the Division and • Indices
Multiplication next. • Division
4. Work out the Addition and • Multiplication
Subtraction last. • Addition
• Subtraction
Examples

1 Work out the value of 5 + 6  7

BIDMAS
• Brackets
• Indices
5 + 6  7 = 5 + 42
do the multiplication • Division
= 47 before the add • Multiplication
• Addition
• Subtraction
2 Work out the value of 7  5 − (8  2)
BIDMAS
do the brackets first • Brackets
• Indices
7  5 − (8  2) = 7  5 − 4
• Division
= 35 − 4 do the multiplication • Multiplication
next • Addition
= 31 • Subtraction
3 Work out the value of 38 + 5 2  (8 − 4)  2
BIDMAS
do the brackets first • Brackets
do the indices next • Indices
38 + 5 2  (8 − 4)  2
• Division
do the division and
= 38 + 5  4  2
2 • Multiplication
multiplication next
• Addition
= 38 + 25  4  2 • Subtraction
= 88