BODMAS Rule: A Comprehensive Tutorial on Order of Operations
In the vast realm of mathematics, understanding the proper sequence of operations is paramount to accurate and meaningful calculations. Enter BODMAS, a guiding principle that ensures consistency in solving mathematical expressions. In this tutorial, we will delve into the BODMAS rule, exploring its components, applications, and providing a range of examples to illuminate its significance.
BODMAS is an acronym that encapsulates the order of operations in mathematical expressions. It stands for Brackets, Orders (powers and roots, etc.), Division and Multiplication (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
Table of Contents
What is BODMAS RULE?
BODMAS is an acronym that represents a set of rules used in mathematics to determine the correct order of operations when evaluating an expression. The acronym stands for:
- B – Brackets: Solve expressions within brackets first. This includes parentheses (), square brackets [], or curly brackets {}.
- O – Orders: Evaluate expressions with powers and roots. This involves operations like squaring (x²), cubing (x³), and square roots (√x).
- D – Division: Perform division operations from left to right.
- M – Multiplication: Perform multiplication operations from left to right.
- A – Addition: Perform addition operations from left to right.
- S – Subtraction: Perform subtraction operations from left to right.
The BODMAS rule is a set of rules used to solve mathematical expressions. Here’s a table format with symbols:
BODMAS Rule Solved Examples
Example 1: Simplify: 12 + (6 – 2 × 1)
Solution:
12 + (6 – 2 × 1)
= 12 + (6 – 2)
= 12 + 4
= 48
Example 2: Simplify: 1/2[{−2(1+2)}5]
Step 1: Simplify the terms inside () followed by {}, then [].
Step 2: Operate terms with the terms outside the bracket.
1/2[{−2(1+2)}5]
= 1/2 [{-2(3)} 5]
= 1/2 [{-6} 5]
= 1/2 [-30]
= -15
Example 3: Simplify: 17 – 12 ÷ 3 × 4 + 5
Solution:
17 – 12 ÷ 3 × 4 + 5
As per the BODMAS rule, we should perform the division first.
17 – 4 × 4 + 5
Let’s perform the multiplication.
17 – 16 + 5
Finally, addition and subtraction.
22 – 16 = 6