In this activity, we will be using BIDMAS to do calculations in the correct order.

The order of operations is:

Brackets

Powers or indices 

Division

Multiplication

Adding

Subtraction

In the examples below, we can see how doing a calculation in a different order, can give a completely different answer.

3 × 4² = 3 × 16 = 48

or

(3 × 4)² = 12² = 144

−5² = −25  = (−(5 × 5))

or

(−5)² = +25 = (−5) × (−5)

When using BIDMAS with fractions as in the questions that follow, we treat the numerator and the denominator separately and only divide the top number by the bottom number once the rest of the calculation has been done.

Let's try some questions.