When a calculation has more than one operation, you must follow a strict order. BODMAS tells you which operations to do first:
B — Brackets | O — Orders (powers/roots) | D — Division | M — Multiplication | A — Addition | S — Subtraction
Important — the order of the letters can mislead you: BODMAS does NOT mean "always do Division before Multiplication" or "always do Addition before Subtraction." D/M are actually equal priority to each other — and so are A/S — so when both appear with no brackets between them, just work left to right. \(12 \div 4 \times 3\): division comes first left-to-right, so \(12 \div 4 = 3\), then \(3 \times 3 = 9\). If the multiplication had come first instead — \(12 \times 4 \div 3\) — you'd do that first: \(12 \times 4 = 48\), then \(48 \div 3 = 16\).
FS2 scope: At Functional Skills Level 2, exam questions focus on Brackets, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. Powers (the O) are shown here so you know the full rule, but they are not directly assessed at FS2.
Example 1 — Evaluate \(3 + 4 \times 2\)
Step 1
No brackets or powers. Next: multiplication. \(4 \times 2 = 8\).
Step 2
Now addition: \(3 + 8 = \mathbf{11}\).
Example 2 — Evaluate \((3 + 4) \times 2\)
Step 1
Brackets first: \(3 + 4 = 7\).
Step 2
Multiplication: \(7 \times 2 = \mathbf{14}\).
The only difference between these two expressions is the brackets — yet the answers are 11 and 14. Brackets completely change the result!
Memory aid: "Big Old Dogs Make A Smell" — Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
✓ Quick Check 1 — BODMAS Order of Operations
Question 1 of 10
Worked Examples with Brackets, Powers and Mixed Operations
Complex expressions need careful step-by-step working. Always write out each stage — this avoids errors and shows the examiner your method.
Division and Multiplication: When both appear at the same level (no brackets separating them), work left to right. So \(12 \div 4 \times 3 = 3 \times 3 = 9\), NOT \(12 \div 12 = 1\).
✓ Quick Check 2 — Worked BODMAS Expressions
Question 1 of 10
BODMAS with Calculators and Real-Life Formulae
Scientific calculators and spreadsheet software all follow BODMAS automatically — but only if you enter the expression correctly. Understanding BODMAS helps you write expressions that give the right answer, and spot mistakes in someone else's working.
Example 5 — Spreadsheet: total cost with a discount
Step 1
A spreadsheet formula for cost: base price + (number of extras × unit price). For base = £200, 3 extras at £15 each.
Without brackets: entering \(72 + 85 + 91 \div 3\) would give \(72 + 85 + 30.33 = 187.33\) — completely wrong!
✓ Quick Check 3 — BODMAS with Calculators and Real Life
Question 1 of 10
Practice: Order of Operations (BODMAS)
💡 Worked example: a plumber charges £60 call-out fee plus £35 per hour, for 3 hours. \(60 + 35 \times 3\): multiplication first, \(35 \times 3 = 105\), then \(60 + 105 = £165\). No brackets needed here since BODMAS already does the multiplication before the addition.
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Question
Answer
Result
1
\(6 + 4 \times 3\)
2
\((6 + 4) \times 3\)
3
\(20 - 8 \div 2\)
4
\((20 - 8) \div 2\)
5
\(5 \times (3 + 2)\)
6
\(2 + 3^2\)
7
\((2 + 3)^2\)
8
\(18 \div 3 + 4\)
9
\(30 \div (2 + 3)\)
10
\(4^2 - 2 \times 3\)
⚠ Things to Watch Out For
Working strictly left to right: 3 + 4 × 2 = 11, NOT 14. Multiplication must be done before addition regardless of order on the page.
Ignoring brackets: Brackets are always done FIRST. (3 + 4) × 2 = 14. The brackets change everything — never skip them.
Division and multiplication priority: Division and multiplication have the SAME priority — do them left to right in the order they appear. 12 ÷ 3 × 2 = 4 × 2 = 8 (not 12 ÷ 6 = 2).
Forgetting powers (Orders): In BODMAS, the O stands for Orders (powers and roots). 2 + 3² = 2 + 9 = 11, NOT 5² = 25.
Nested brackets: Work from the innermost set of brackets outwards: 2 × (3 + (4 − 1)) = 2 × (3 + 3) = 2 × 6 = 12.