Order of Operations (BIDMAS/BODMAS) Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What does BIDMAS stand for?

Brackets, Indices, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.

What are the steps to work out a calculation using BIDMAS?

e.g. $2 + 3 \times 4^2$

1. Indices: $4^2 = 16$
2. Multiplication: $3 \times 16 = 48$
3. Addition: $2 + 48 = 50$

In BIDMAS, which comes first: multiplication or division?

Neither — they have equal priority, so work from left to right.

True or false? In BIDMAS, all additions must be done before any subtractions.

False. Addition and subtraction have equal priority; work left to right.

Where do roots fit in the order of operations?

With indices (powers) — done after brackets, before multiplying and dividing.

What does the notation $x^{-1}$ mean?

The reciprocal of $x$, that is $\dfrac{1}{x}$.
e.g. $4^{-1} = \frac{1}{4}$