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BODMAS Rule

As per the BODMAS rule, we have to calculate

the expressions given in the brackets first. The
full form of BODMAS is Brackets, Orders, Division,
Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. Hence,
the second preference in BODMAS is given here
to the orders or exponents (xn). Later we
perform the arithmetic operations (÷, ×, +, -). We
will solve examples based on this rule in the
below sections.

Table of Contents:

Definition

Explanation

Full form

Video lesson

Conditions

Examples

Simplification of Brackets

Without brackets

Problems

FAQs

An arithmetic expression that involves multiple

operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division are not easy to solve
as compared to operations involving two
numbers. An operation on two numbers is easy,
but how to solve an expression with brackets
and multiple operations and how to simplify a
bracket? Let’s recollect the BODMAS rule and
learn about the simplification of brackets.

Learn more: Mathematics

What is BODMAS RULE?

BODMAS is an acronym and it stands for
Bracket, Order, Division, Multiplication, Addition,
and Subtraction. In certain regions, PEMDAS
(Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division,
Addition, and Subtraction) is used, which is the
synonym of BODMAS. Thus, the order of
operations of BODMAS and PEMDAS is shown in
the below figure.

BODMAS Rule Explanation

It explains the order of operations to be
performed while solving an expression.
According to the BODMAS rule, if an expression
contains brackets ((), {}, []) we have first to
solve or simplify the bracket followed by ‘order’
(that means powers and roots, etc.), then
division, multiplication, addition and subtraction
from left to right. Solving the problem in the
wrong order will result in a wrong answer.

The BODMAS rule can be applied, if the

expression involving more than one operator. In
this case, first, we have to simplify the terms
inside the bracket from the inner most bracket
to the outermost bracket [{()}], and simplify the
roots or exponents, if any. Then perform
multiplication or division operation from left to
right. Finally, perform addition or subtraction
operation to get the accurate answer.

Note: The “O” in the BODMAS full form is also

called “Order”, which refers to the numbers
which involve powers, square roots, etc. Check
the examples below to have a better
understanding of using the BODMAS rule.

BODMAS Rule Full form

As we mentioned earlier, the full form of BODMAS
is Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication,
Addition, Subtraction. While applying the
BODMAS rule we should follow the order of these
operations.

B Brackets ( ), { }, [ ]

Square roots, indices,

O Order of
exponents and powers

D Division ÷, /

Multiplic
M ×, *
ation

A Addition +

Subtract
S –
ion

This order must be followed to get accurate

results.

Video Lesson on BODMAS Rule

3,26,036
BODMAS Rule has been explained in this video
along with various examples. Watch this video
to get completely acquainted with the BODMAS
or PEDMAS rule and solve any maths equation
effectively.

What is BODMAS Rule?

BODMAS stands for Bracket, Of, Division,
Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction. The
BODMAS is used to explain the order of
operation of a mathematical expression. In
some regions, the BODMAS is also known as
PEDMAS which stands for Parentheses,
Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and
Subtraction.

According to BODMAS rule, the brackets have to

be solved first followed by powers or roots (i.e.
of), then Division, Multiplication, Addition, and at
the end Subtraction. Solving any expression is
considered correct only if the BODMAS rule or
the PEDMAS rule is followed to solve it.

Example Question Using BODMAS Rule:

Take the following questions:
(3+5)-5+2

To solve this, the first bracket has to be solved

which will give the following-
(8)-5+2
Now, an addition has to be solved:
(8)-7 = 1.

Also, learn:

Addition

Subtraction

Multiplication

Division

Sometimes you may also come

across percentages while simplifying the
numerical expression using this BODMAS rule.

Conditions and Rules

A few conditions and rules for general
simplification are given below:

Condition Rule

Open the bracket

x + (y + z) x+y+z
and add the terms.

Open the bracket

and multiply the
negative sign with
each term inside the
x – (y + z) x–y–z
bracket.
(All positive terms will
be negative and
vice-versa)

Multiply the outside

x(y + z) xy + xz term with each term
inside the bracket

Tips to Remember BODMAS Rule:

The rules to simplify the expression using

BODMAS rule are as follows:

First, simplify the brackets

Solve the exponent or root terms

Perform division or multiplication

operation (from left to right)

Perform addition or subtraction operation

(from left to right)

BODMAS Rule Solved Examples

Example 1:

\(\begin{array}{l}Solve\ \left ( \frac{1}{2} +

\frac{1}{4}\right )\ of\ 16\end{array} \)
Solution-

\(\begin{array}{l}Given:\ \left ( \frac{1}{2} +

\frac{1}{4}\right )\ of\ 16\end{array} \)
Step 1: Solving the fraction inside the bracket
first-

\(\begin{array}{l}\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4} =
\frac{3}{4}\end{array} \)
Step 2: Now the expression will be (3/4) of 16

\(\begin{array}{l}=\frac{3}{4} \times
16\end{array} \)
\(\begin{array}{l}= 12\end{array} \)

Simplification of Brackets
Simplification of terms inside the brackets can
be done directly. That means we can perform
the operations inside the bracket in the order of
division, multiplication, addition and subtraction.

Note: The order of brackets to be simplified is (),

{}, [].

Example 2:

Simplify: 14 + (8 – 2 × 3)

Solution:

14 + (8 – 2 × 3)

= 14 + (8 – 6)

= 14 + 2

= 16

Therefore, 14 + (8 – 2 × 3) = 16.

Example 3:

Simplify the following.

(i) 1800 ÷ [10{(12−6)+(24−12)}]

(ii) 1/2[{−2(1+2)}10]

Solution:

(i) 1800 ÷ [10{(12−6)+(24−12)}]

Step 1: Simplify the terms inside {}.

Step 2: Simplify {} and operate with terms

outside the bracket.

1800 ÷ [10{(12−6)+(24−12)}]

= 1800 ÷ [10{6+12}]

= 1800 ÷ [10{18}]

Step 3: Simplify the terms inside [ ].

= 1800 ÷ 180
= 10

(ii) 1/2[{−2(1+2)}10]

Step 1: Simplify the terms inside () followed by {},

then [].

Step 2: Operate terms with the terms outside the

bracket.

1/2[{−2(1+2)}10]

= 1/2 [{-2(3)} 10]

= 1/2 [{-6} 10]

= 1/2 [-60]

= -30

BODMAS Rule without Brackets

The BODMAS rule can be applied to solve the
mathematical expression without brackets too.
Consider the following question to verify.

Example 4:

Simplify: 17 – 24 ÷ 6 × 4 + 8

Solution:

17 – 24 ÷ 6 × 4 + 8

As per the BODMAS rule, we should perform the

division first.

17 – 4 × 4 + 8

Let’s perform the multiplication.

17 – 16 + 8

Finally, addition and subtraction.

25 – 16 = 9

Example 5:

Simplify the expression: 1/7 of 49 + 125 ÷ 25 – 12

Solution:

1/7 of 49 + 125 ÷ 25 – 12

= (1/7) × 49 + 125 ÷ 25 – 12

= 7 + 125 ÷ 25 – 12

= 7 + 5 – 12

= 12 – 12

=0

Solved Problems On Bodmas

Question 1: Solve 8 + 9 ÷ 9 + 5 × 2 − 7.

Solution:

The problem given is 8 + 9 ÷ 9 + 5 × 2 − 7.

The division operation is performed first.

9÷9=1

So, the expression reduces to 8 + 1 + 5 × 2 − 7

The multiplication operation is taken next,

5 × 2 = 10

So, the expression reduces to 8 + 1 + 10 − 7

The addition operation is

8 + 1 + 10 = 19

The final answer is 19 – 7 = 12.

Question 2: Simplify the expression [25 – 3 (6 +

1)] ÷ 4 + 9.

Solution:

The problem given is [25 – 3 (6 + 1)] ÷ 4 + 9.

The round bracket is (6 + 1) = 7.

The next bracket is 3 (7) = 21

Take [25 – 21] ÷ 4 + 9

(25 – 21) = 4

Then division operation is performed,

4÷4=1

Then 1 + 9 = 10

The final answer is 10.

Question 3: Solve (1 / 4 + 1 / 8) of 64.

Solution:

In the first step, consider (1 / 4 + 1 / 8) = (2 + 1) /

8=3/8

Take (3 / 8) of 64

Here the term “of” refers to the operation of

multiplication.

(3 / 8) of 64 = (3 / 8) * 64

= 24

Question 4: Simplify the given expression: 180 ÷

15 {(12 – 6) – (14 – 12)}.

Solution:

Initially, the first ( ) brackets are simplified,

180 ÷ 15 {(12 – 6) – (14 – 12)}

= 180 ÷ 15 (6 − 2) (solve round bracket)

= 180 ÷ 15 (4) (solve curly bracket)

= 12 (4) (divide 180 by 15 = 12)

= 12 × 4 (if no operator is mentioned behind any

given bracket, multiplication operation can be
performed)

= 48

The final answer is 48.

Question 5: Simplify the following expression 3 +

24 × (15 ÷ 3) using the BODMAS rule.

Solution:

The expression given is 3 + 24 × (15 ÷ 3).

The bracket is taken first.

(15 ÷ 3) = 5

Then 3 + 24 × 5

The calculation is done in order 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2

= 16

16 × 5 = 80

The addition operation is performed next.

3 + 80 = 83

The final answer is 83.

Question 6:

\(\begin{array}{l} Solve\ 16[8-\{5-

2(\overline{2-1}+1)\}] using\ BODMAS\
rule.\end{array} \)
Solution:

\(\begin{array}{l}Given:\ 16[8-\{5-
2(\overline{2-1}+1)\}]\end{array} \)
First consider the vinculum or line bracket 16 [8 –
{5 – 2 (1 + 1)}] = 16 [8 – {5 – 2 * 2}] ( solve the
curved bracket)
= 16 [8 – {5 – 4}]( multiply the curly bracket )
= 16 [8 – 1] ( solve the curly bracket)
= 16 * 7 ( solve the inner part of the square
bracket)
= 112
Hence, the final answer is 112.

Question 7: Solve the expression using BODMAS

rule{50 – (2 + 3) + 15}.

Solution:

Input Equation:

= {50 – (2 + 3) + 15}

= {50 – (5) + 15}

= {50 – 5 + 15}

= {45 + 15}

= {60}

= 60

Question 8: Simplify the expression using the

BODMAS rule [18 – 2 (5 + 1)] ÷ 3 + 7.

Solution:

Input Equation can be rewritten:

= [18 – 2 * (5 + 1)] / 3 + 7

= [18 – 2 * (6)] / 3 + 7

= [18 – 2 * 6] / 3 + 7

= [18 – 12] / 3 + 7

= [6] / 3 + 7

= (6 / 3) + 7

=2+7

=9

BODMAS Rule Problems

Try to solve the BODMAS Rule Questions given
below to understand the application of the rule
in simplifications.

1. What is the value of 28 – [26 – {2 + 5 × (6

– 3)}]?

2. Simplify: 2 + 5(4 + 2) + 32 – (1 + 6 × 3)

3. Find the value of 7 + {8 – 3 of (√4 + 2)}.

More Related Links

Surds Exponent

Index Expanding brackets

To solve more word problems on arithmetical

operations, download BYJU’S – The Learning App
and watch interactive videos.

Frequently Asked Questions on

BODMAS Rule

Q1 What is the BODMAS Rule of Maths?

BODMAS is an acronym for the sequence of

operations to be performed while
simplifying the mathematical expressions.
Thus, BODMAS stands for Bracket, Order,
Division, Multiplication, Addition, and
Subtraction.

Q2 Can we use the BODMAS rule when there

are no brackets?

Yes, we can use the BODMAS rule when

there are no brackets also.

Q3 What does S represent in the BODMAS rule?

The letter S denotes the subtraction in the

BODMAS rule of mathematics.

Q4 Which arithmetic operations are involved

in the BODMAS rule?

The main arithmetic operations involved in

the BODMAS rule are:
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Square roots or surds and indices

Q5 What is the use of the BODMAS rule?

The BODMAS rule helps in simplifying the

mathematical expression accurately. Using
this rule, we can compute the given
expression in the right way so that the
answer is correct.

Quiz on BODMAS Rule

Put your understanding

of this concept to test
by answering a few
MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’
to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on

the “Finish” button
Check your score and answers at the
end of the quiz

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