What is BIDMAS?

Get your maths brain in gear and try the question below:

Think you got it right?

Wrong answers include: 31, 11.5, 63, 48, -0.0001, 9,000,001 … you get the idea!

If you didn’t get 24, you may find it useful to read the rest of this post. If you did get 24 … well done … but read it anyway!

To get to the right answer of 24 we have to use the order of mathematical operations called BIDMAS. But what actually is BIDMAS?

BIDMAS is an acronym that stands for:

B Brackets

I Indices

D Division

M Multiplication

A Addition

S Subtraction

To complete any maths question we have to follow the question in the BIDMAS order. Let’s have a look at each of the components.

Brackets

Brackets refers to anything in brackets. This must be the first thing you calculate in any question. Make sure you fully simplify what’s in the brackets, and follow BIDMAS within the brackets if needed!

Indices

Next up is Indices. Indices are any powers for example squared 2², cubed x³, or square root √16. Of course there are many more types but these are the main ones you will see. Make sure to identify any brackets with indices, these can be tricky!

Division

Believe it or not we’re all ready on the home stretch! The next four stages are all quite simple. This stage is division so make sure to now calculate any division in the question.

Multiplication

The opposite function of division is multiplication. After completing all the division we now move on to completing all the multiplication

Top tip:

For older/advanced students, division and multiplication can be done at the same time or interchangeably!

Addition

This stage is to quite simply complete all the additions in the question. The question should be starting to look at lot simpler now.

Subtraction

The final step! Lastly, complete all the subtractions in the questions. Now you’re done!

Hopefully this cleared up what BIDMAS is and how to use it. Take a look below to see the working out for the question we asked at the beginning.