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BIDMAS
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BIDMAS

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BIDMAS

When a calculation involves multiple operations, we must decide which order to perform our operations

The order we carry out calculations like ++ , - , ×\times or ÷\div affects the final answer. What is the correct order to carry them out?

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1

BIDMAS tells us the order of operations

Brackets come first, while addition and subtraction come last.

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Always follow this order when answering a question

This is true of all calculations.

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3

Would you do multiplication before or after addition?

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Let's try this example together: 6+5×36 + 5 \times 3

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We will walk through this step by step

Don't forget that BIDMAS gives us the order of operations

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2

We have two operations here: addition ++ and multiplication ×\times Using BIDMAS, which one do we calculate first?

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3

What is 5×35 \times 3?

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4

Now we use the value we've just found

The calculation is now 6+156 + 15

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What is 6+156 + 15?

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6

Good work!

The final answer is 2121

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1

Division and Multiplication are equal (as they are opposite operations). If they appear in the same question, go from left to right.

This also applies to Addition and Subtraction.

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There is one tricky thing about BIDMAS when it comes to addition and subtraction.

When it is just addition and subtraction, we must work from left to right.

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The correct answer is found by working from left to right. What is 2410+424-10+4?

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4

But what happens if we do the addition first?

We know that 10+4=1410+4=14.

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What is the final answer now?

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6

It's not possible for both of these answers to be correct!

Remember when it is just addition and subtraction, work from left to right.

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Now let's try working out this one: 723×8+27^2 - 3 \times 8 + 2

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This one has a few more operations

And we will walk through it step by step

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2

We have four operations here

Indices 727^2 subtraction 7237^2-3, multiplication 3×83 \times 8,
addition 8+28+2

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Which operation do we do first?

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4

So what is 727^2?

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5

Multiplication is the next step. What is 3×83\times8?

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Let's put these into our calculation

It now looks like 4924+249-24+2

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What happens next?

Addition and subtraction are equal in order, so we perform from left to right.

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What is 4924+249-24+2?

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9

Nice! 👍

The final answer is 2727

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Here is a quick test before we move on.

What is 2+3×42 + 3 \times 4?

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And how about 5×325 \times 3^2?

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This is a slightly harder one!

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This exercise will use all of the operations

Let's walk through it step by step....

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2

Tackle the brackets in the numerator first

B is the first letter in BIDMAS

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3

Which operation do we do first?

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4

What is 8×28 \times 2?

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5

Subtract 44 from 1616

164=1216-4=12

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Now we can tackle the set of brackets in the denominator. Do the indices first

12=11^2=1

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Finish the calculation in the bracket by adding the numbers together

1+3=41+3=4

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Divide the numerator by the denominator

124=3\dfrac{12}{4}=3

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9

Nice!

The final answer is 33

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Find (722)(4215)\dfrac{(7-2^2)}{(4^2-15)}.

Feel free to take your time working this one out. You may need to write your workings down.

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Summary! BIDMAS tells us the order of operations

Brackets come first, while addition and subtraction come last.

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2

If we only have addition and subtraction we must work from left to right.

Do the calculation as if you were reading it

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