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Why Order Matters
Why Order Matters
Imagine you're following a recipe: "Add 2 cups flour plus 3 times 4 tablespoons sugar". Do you add 2 + 3 = 5, then multiply by 4 to get 20 tablespoons sugar? Or do you multiply 3 × 4 = 12 first, then add 2 cups flour plus 12 tablespoons sugar? Without BIDMAS, mathematical expressions would be as confusing as this recipe! BIDMAS gives us the universal order that mathematicians worldwide follow.
BIDMAS Order
Work through calculations in this order:
Earn the mark scheme marks
Exam Tips
- Show your working: Write each step clearly to avoid mistakes and gain partial marks
- Use brackets for clarity: (3 × 4) + 2 is clearer than 3 × 4 + 2
- Check equal priority operations: For ÷ and ×, or + and -, always work left to right
- Double-check indices: 2³ = 8, not 6. Powers are multiplication, not addition
- Nested brackets: Work from inside out: 2 × (3 + (4 × 5)) = 2 × (3 + 20) = 2 × 23 = 46
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 14
What does the letter 'I' stand for in BIDMAS?
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