Order of Operations (BODMAS)
This topic covers 5 learning steps, guiding your child from the basics through to confident problem-solving. Each step includes a worked example and adaptive practice questions.
What Your Child Will Learn
- What Is BODMAS?
Learn the order: Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction - Brackets First
Always calculate brackets before anything else - Multiply/Divide Before Add/Subtract
Apply the correct order without brackets - Multi-Operation Expressions
Evaluate expressions with three or more operations - Challenge — Complex BODMAS
Nested brackets and multi-step BODMAS problems
Before This Topic
Your child should be comfortable with:
- Multiplication Tables (Year 4)
- Division Facts (Year 4)
Common Mistakes
- Thinking you always work left to right, ignoring the order of operations (e.g. calculating 3 + 2 × 5 as 25 instead of 13)
BODMAS tells you the correct order: Brackets, Orders (powers), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. Multiplication comes before addition, so 3 + 2 × 5 = 3 + 10 = 13. - Thinking Division always comes before Multiplication (and Addition before Subtraction)
Division and Multiplication have EQUAL priority — do them left to right. The same applies to Addition and Subtraction. BODMAS groups them in pairs: (B)(O)(DM)(AS).
Tips for Parents
- Start with simple examples: "Is 2 + 3 × 4 equal to 20 or 14?" Let your child try both ways and discuss which is correct (14).
- Use brackets to show how they change the answer: "2 + 3 × 4 = 14, but (2 + 3) × 4 = 20. The brackets change everything."
- Write BODMAS on a card and keep it visible during homework: Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction.
- Try a "BODMAS challenge" each day — write an expression and see if your child can evaluate it correctly.
Key Words
- BODMAS — The order of operations: Brackets, Orders (powers), Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction.
- Brackets — Symbols ( ) that tell you to calculate what is inside them FIRST.
- Orders — Powers and roots (like ² and √) — done after brackets but before other operations.
- Operation — A mathematical process — addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
- Expression — A combination of numbers and operations — like 3 + 2 × 5.
Where This Fits
Before this topic: Children should be confident with all four operations and understand what brackets mean.
After this topic: BODMAS is essential for all future algebra, equation solving, and any complex calculation in secondary school and beyond.
How MathCraft Teaches This
In MathCraft, Order of Operations (BODMAS) is taught through the Algebra & Arithmetic adventure track. Your child follows guided lessons with friendly characters, works through examples step by step, then practises with questions that adapt to their level.
The adaptive engine tracks mastery across all 5 steps, revisiting concepts your child finds tricky and advancing when they're ready. Parents can see detailed progress in the Parent Dashboard.
Practise Order of Operations (BODMAS) with MathCraft
Step-by-step lessons, worked examples, and adaptive practice — all wrapped in an adventure game your child will love.
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