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BODMAS rule means Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction. You need to follow this exact order while solving maths expressions with many operations together. First solve brackets, then powers or roots, then division and multiplication, and finally addition and subtraction. This order stays the same in school maths, competitive exams, calculators, and algebra questions.
If you solve sums randomly, then your final answer can turn out wrong even when the numbers look correct. That is why BODMAS is important from basic arithmetic to higher maths. In this blog, you will see easy BODMAS rule examples, solved questions, worksheets, common mistakes, tricky problems, and shortcuts, so you can solve questions accurately.
Contents
- 1 What is the BODMAS Rule in Maths?
- 2 BODMAS Rule Full Form
- 3 Order of Operations in BODMAS Rule
- 4 BODMAS Rule Formula
- 5 How to Solve Using the BODMAS Rule
- 6 BODMAS Rule Examples
- 7 BODMAS Rule Questions with Answers
- 8 BODMAS Rule Worksheet
- 9 Common Mistakes in the BODMAS Rule
- 10 BODMAS Rule Tricks and Tips
- 11 FAQs
What is the BODMAS Rule in Maths?
The BODMAS rule in maths tells you the exact order you need to follow while solving sums with many operations together. It helps you avoid wrong answers when addition, multiplication, brackets, and powers come in one question. If you solve randomly, the answer will change. That is why schools use one fixed order for everyone.
| Letter | Operation | What You Need to Do |
| B | Brackets | Solve brackets first |
| O | Orders | Solve powers and roots |
| D | Division | Divide next |
| M | Multiplication | Multiply after division |
| A | Addition | Add near the end |
| S | Subtraction | Subtract at the last |
BODMAS Rule Full Form
The BODMAS rule full form is Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction. These words are not random. They show the exact path your brain should follow while solving maths expressions. Once you remember this order, long sums start looking much easier.
Meaning of Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition & Subtraction
Each letter in BODMAS has one job. Brackets clean up the inside part first, orders handle powers and roots, and the other operations move from division to subtraction in order. You do not need to guess anything. Just follow the sequence, and the answer will come correctly.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
| Brackets | Solve inside symbols first | (6 + 2) |
| Orders | Powers or roots | 5², √16 |
| Division | Splitting numbers | 20 ÷ 5 |
| Multiplication | Repeated addition | 4 × 3 |
| Addition | Joining values | 8 + 1 |
| Subtraction | Taking away values | 9 − 2 |
Order of Operations in BODMAS Rule
The order of operations in the BODMAS rule matters because the same numbers can give different answers if you change the sequence. Maths uses one universal order so that every student gets the same final value. This rule is used in schools, exams, calculators, and coding, too.
Correct Sequence to Solve Expressions
You need to move step by step. First solve brackets, then powers, then division and multiplication from left to right. Addition and subtraction also move left to right. This left-to-right part is where many students get confused.
| Step | Operation |
| 1 | Brackets |
| 2 | Orders |
| 3 | Division |
| 4 | Multiplication |
| 5 | Addition |
| 6 | Subtraction |
Difference Between BODMAS and PEMDAS
BODMAS and PEMDAS are almost the same rule. India mostly uses BODMAS, while the USA uses PEMDAS. The solving method stays the same, so you do not need to panic if you see different letters in books or online videos.
| BODMAS | PEMDAS | Meaning |
| Brackets | Parentheses | Solve grouped part |
| Orders | Exponents | Powers and roots |
| Division | Division | Same operation |
| Multiplication | Multiplication | Same operation |
| Addition | Addition | Same operation |
| Subtraction | Subtraction | Same operation |
Also Read: Commercial Maths: Definitions, Formulas, and Solved Examples
BODMAS Rule Formula
There is no special equation in the BODMAS rule formula. The formula is simply the fixed order of operations used to solve expressions correctly. Students often think multiplication always comes before division, but both are solved from left to right.
B→O→D→M→A→SB \rightarrow O \rightarrow D \rightarrow M \rightarrow A \rightarrow SB→O→D→M→A→S
| Symbol | Operation |
| () | Brackets |
| × | Multiplication |
| ÷ | Division |
| + | Addition |
| − | Subtraction |
| √ | Root |
| ² | Power |
How to Solve Using the BODMAS Rule
You can solve using the BODMAS rule by breaking the sum into tiny parts instead of trying to do everything together. This makes hard-looking questions feel simple. Just slow down and solve one operation at a time. Here is the step-by-step method.
- Check if brackets are present
- Solve powers or roots next
- Move to division and multiplication from left to right
- Finish with addition and subtraction
- Recheck the final answer once
Here is an example for your better understanding.
| Question | Correct Answer |
| 8 + 2 × 3 | 14 |
| (8 + 2) × 3 | 30 |
| 18 ÷ 3 + 4 | 10 |
| 5² + 1 | 26 |
Also Read: All You Need to Know About Properties of a Cylinder in Maths
BODMAS Rule Examples
BODMAS rule examples will help you see why order matters. The numbers stay the same, but changing the sequence changes the answer completely. That is why students should practice different types of sums instead of memorising only one pattern.
Simple Examples
These are beginner-level sums where only two or three operations are used together. They are perfect if you are just starting BODMAS practice.
| Question | Solution | Answer |
| 10 + 5 × 2 | 10 + 10 | 20 |
| 16 ÷ 4 + 3 | 4 + 3 | 7 |
| 9 − 2 + 1 | 7 + 1 | 8 |
| 7 × 2 − 5 | 14 − 5 | 9 |
Examples with Brackets and Powers
Brackets and powers can make sums look scary, but they are actually the easiest part because BODMAS tells you to solve them first.
| Question | Solution | Answer |
| (4 + 2) × 5 | 6 × 5 | 30 |
| 3² + 4 | 9 + 4 | 13 |
| (8 − 3)² | 5² | 25 |
| 20 ÷ (2 × 2) | 20 ÷ 4 | 5 |
BODMAS Rule Questions with Answers
BODMAS rule questions with answers help students check if they are actually following the correct order or just solving randomly. Once you start practicing mixed operations together, long expressions stop looking scary. The more patterns you solve, the faster your brain starts catching the correct sequence automatically.
Easy Questions
These easy questions will help you understand how BODMAS works in normal maths sums. Start slowly and focus more on the order than speed. Once you get comfortable with multiplication, division, and brackets together, bigger expressions will start feeling much easier.
| Question | Answer |
| 6 + 4 × 2 | 14 |
| 15 ÷ 3 + 1 | 6 |
| 5 × 2 − 3 | 7 |
| (7 + 1) ÷ 2 | 4 |
| 9 + 6 ÷ 3 | 11 |
| 8 × 2 + 5 | 21 |
| 20 − 4 × 3 | 8 |
| 16 ÷ 4 + 7 | 11 |
| (5 + 5) × 2 | 20 |
| 3² + 1 | 10 |
| 14 − 6 ÷ 2 | 11 |
| 18 ÷ 3 + 9 | 15 |
Difficult Problems
These difficult problems mix many operations together, so you need to stay careful at every step. Most students make mistakes when powers, brackets, and division come in the same question. Solve one operation at a time and keep checking the order properly.
| Question | Answer |
| 18 ÷ 3 × 2 + 1 | 13 |
| (6 + 2)² ÷ 4 | 16 |
| 24 − 8 ÷ 2 × 3 | 12 |
| 5 + (12 ÷ 3)² | 21 |
| 36 ÷ (3 × 2) + 4 | 10 |
| 7 × (5 − 2) + 9 | 30 |
| 48 ÷ 6 + 2² | 12 |
| (10 + 5) ÷ 3 × 2 | 10 |
| 25 − (4 × 3) + 8 | 21 |
| 9 + 18 ÷ (3 × 2) | 12 |
| (8 + 4)² ÷ 6 | 24 |
| 100 ÷ 5 × 2 − 10 | 30 |
| 15 + 5² ÷ 5 | 20 |
| (20 − 8) × 2 + 6 | 30 |
| 72 ÷ (6 + 3) × 4 | 32 |
Also Read: NCERT Class 6 Maths Chapter 6 ‘Integers’: Notes and Solutions (Free PDF)
BODMAS Rule Worksheet
A BODMAS rule worksheet will help you practice mixed operations in one place. These questions will help you get faster at spotting brackets, powers, multiplication, and division in the correct order. Try solving them step by step without skipping lines.
- 12 + 4 × 2
- (15 − 5) ÷ 2
- 3² + 7
- 18 ÷ 3 × 2
- (9 + 1) × 4
- 25 − 3 × 5
- 16 ÷ 2 + 8
- (6 + 4)²
- 30 ÷ 5 × 3
- 7 + 8 ÷ 4
- (12 − 2) × 5
- 4² + 6
- 50 − 18 ÷ 3
- 9 × 2 + 11
- (14 + 6) ÷ 5
- 100 ÷ 10 + 7
- 5 × (8 − 3)
- 64 ÷ 8 + 9
- (3 + 5) × (2 + 1)
- 11 + 7 × 2
- 40 ÷ (2 × 4)
- 6² − 10
- (18 ÷ 3) + 12
- 45 − 5 × 4
- 8 + 24 ÷ 6
- (20 − 5)²
- 72 ÷ 9 × 2
- 15 + (6 × 2)
- 81 ÷ 9 + 3²
- (25 − 10) ÷ 5
- 14 + 2 × 6 − 3
- (16 ÷ 4)²
- 90 − 8 × 5
- 7 × (9 − 4) + 2
- 144 ÷ 12 + 6
- (5 + 7) × 3 − 4
- 2³ + 5 × 2
- 60 ÷ (3 + 2)
- 10 + 18 ÷ 3 × 2
- (8 × 2) + (6 ÷ 3)
Common Mistakes in the BODMAS Rule
Most mistakes in the BODMAS rule happen because students rush and ignore the order. Some students solve from left to right directly, while others forget that division and multiplication have equal priority. Small confusion can change the whole answer.
| Mistake | Wrong Thinking | Correct Rule |
| Adding first | 2 + 3 × 4 = 20 | Multiply first |
| Ignoring brackets | 8 + (2 × 5) = 50 | Solve the inside bracket |
| Wrong power solving | 3² = 6 | 3² = 9 |
| Skipping left to right | 20 ÷ 5 × 2 = 2 | The answer is 8 |
BODMAS Rule Tricks and Tips
You do not need to fear long expressions if you know a few BODMAS rule tricks and tips. The biggest hack is to stop solving mentally. Write every small step on paper. That alone removes half the mistakes students make in exams.
- Circle brackets first so you can quickly see where to start
- Write powers and roots separately because students often miss them
- Solve only one operation in one line to avoid confusion
- Move left to right in division and multiplication questions
- Underline negative signs so plus-minus mistakes do not happen
- Do not skip steps even if the sum looks easy
- Practice mixed BODMAS questions daily because exams never follow one pattern
- Use rough work neatly because messy steps usually create wrong answers
- Check the final sign again before writing the answer
- Solve slowly first because speed automatically improves with practice
FAQs
The basic rule of BODMAS says you need to solve maths operations in a fixed order. First solve brackets, then orders like powers and roots, then division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction. This rule helps everyone get the same correct answer. Schools and calculators follow this order too.
According to BODMAS, multiplication comes before subtraction. First solve 1 × 199, which gives 199. Then subtract 199 from 200. The final answer is 1.
No, BODMAS is not a formula. It is a rule used to solve maths expressions in the correct order. It tells you which operation you should solve first. Students use it in arithmetic, algebra, and exams.
Use BODMAS here. First solve multiplication and division. 3 × 3 = 9 and 3 ÷ 3 = 1. Now add them, so the final answer is 10.
BODMAS is the correct order because it keeps maths answers the same for everyone. Without one fixed order, the same question can give different answers. Schools, textbooks, and calculators use this standard system. It makes calculations clear and fair.
First solve brackets if they are present. Then solve powers or roots. After that, move to division and multiplication from left to right. Finish with addition and subtraction from left to right.
The four basic operations in maths are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Addition joins numbers, subtraction removes values, multiplication repeats addition, and division splits values equally. These operations are used in almost every maths topic.
You can explain BODMAS to kids as a “maths order game.” Tell them maths questions have rules just like traffic signals. They need to solve brackets first, then powers, then divide, multiply, add, and subtract. Small practice sums make it easy to learn.
First solve the bracket: 2 + 2 = 4. Now the question becomes 8 ÷ 2 × 4. Solve division and multiplication from left to right. 8 ÷ 2 = 4, then 4 × 4 = 16.
There is no single person called the father of the BODMAS rule. The order of operations developed slowly in mathematics over many years. Different countries use names like BODMAS, PEMDAS, and BIDMAS. The rule became standard through maths education systems.
There is no fixed list of only 20 maths formulas because maths has hundreds of formulas. Common ones include area formulas, algebra formulas, percentage formulas, and geometry formulas. Schools teach different formulas by class level. BODMAS itself is a rule, not a formula.
A common BODMAS mistake is solving addition before multiplication. Many students also forget to solve brackets first. Another mistake is ignoring left-to-right order in division and multiplication. Writing each step separately helps avoid errors.
A simple example is 2 + 3 × 4. According to BODMAS, solve multiplication first. 3 × 4 = 12, then add 2. The final answer is 14.
BODMAS and PEMDAS are two names for the same order-of-operations rule. BODMAS is common in India and the UK, while PEMDAS is used more in the USA. Both tell students how to solve maths expressions correctly. The solving method stays almost the same.
If you ignore BODMAS, your answer can be wrong even if the numbers are correct. Different people may get different answers for the same question. This creates confusion in maths, science, coding, and accounting. That is why schools teach one fixed order.
Relatable Reads
The BODMAS rule looks difficult only until you start breaking the question into small parts. You do not need to solve everything together. Just follow the order calmly and write every step properly on paper. Most mistakes happen when you skip steps or trust mental calculation too much.
One smart trick you can use in exams is checking division and multiplication once again before writing the final answer. After some practice, your brain will automatically start following the correct order without confusion. So, keep learning and stay connected with the School Education page on Leverage Edu for more helpful and student-friendly blogs. And if this helped you, don’t forget to share, rate, and drop a comment. Your support helps more students find the good stuff.
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