Master Simplification Using BODMAS Rule: Tricks, Formulas, and Practice

Simplification Using BODMAS Rule
If you're preparing for competitive exams or just brushing up your math skills, understanding simplification using BODMAS rule is essential. Whether it's SSC, banking, or school-level math, simplification questions always appear, and scoring in this section is quick and easy—if you know the trick.In this post, we’ll cover everything from what BODMAS is, formulas, solved examples, and lots of practice questions with answers. Let's simplify simplification!

01) What is BODMAS Rule & Why should you Master Simplification Using BODMAS Rule?

BODMAS stands for:

  • B – Brackets ( First Bracket-> Second Bracket->Third Bracket)
  • O – Orders (powers and roots, i.e., square, cube, square roots,Of)
  • D – Division
  • M – Multiplication
  • A – Addition
  • S – Subtraction

It defines the correct order in which operations must be performed to solve a mathematical expression.

Example:
What is the value of: 6 + 3 × (8 − 5)² ÷ 3?

Let’s apply the BODMAS rule:

  1. Brackets: (8 – 5) = 3
  2. Orders: 3² = 9
  3. Multiplication: 3 × 9 = 27
  4. Division: 27 ÷ 3 = 9
  5. Addition: 6 + 9 = 15

Answer: 15


02) Why BODMAS is Important in Simplification?

Many students make mistakes in simplification because they ignore the order of operations. That’s where simplification using BODMAS rule helps you. It keeps your calculations accurate and avoids confusion.

In exams, if you skip the correct order, you’ll likely end up with the wrong answer, even if your calculations are correct. So, always remember BODMAS!


03) Basic BODMAS Table:

StepOperationDescription
1BSolve brackets first
2OSolve powers or roots
3DDivision (from left to right)
4MMultiplication (left to right)
5AAddition
6SSubtraction

04) Key Formulas Used in Simplification:

Here are a few basic formulas that combine well with BODMAS:

  • a² – b² = (a – b)(a + b)
  • (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
  • (a – b)² = a² – 2ab + b²
  • (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca

Use these formulas when dealing with powers or order operations in simplification.


05) Common Types of Simplification Questions:

  1. Numbers with Brackets
  2. Mixed Operations (Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide)
  3. Powers and Roots
  4. Decimals and Fractions
  5. Combination of All

Let’s look at examples for each.


06) Solved Examples Using BODMAS Rule:

Example 1: Simple Bracket

Q: 10 + 5 × (6 – 4)
Solution:
→ Bracket: (6 – 4) = 2
→ Multiply: 5 × 2 = 10
→ Add: 10 + 10 = 20


Example 2: Order (Power)

Q: 5 + (3²) × 2
Solution:
→ Order: 3² = 9
→ Multiply: 9 × 2 = 18
→ Add: 5 + 18 = 23


Example 3: Mix of Operations

Q: 100 ÷ 5 × 2 + 10
Solution:
→ Division: 100 ÷ 5 = 20
→ Multiply: 20 × 2 = 40
→ Add: 40 + 10 = 50


Example 4: Nested Brackets

Q: 40 ÷ {2 + [3 × (2 + 1)]}
Solution:
→ Inner Bracket: (2 + 1) = 3
→ Multiply: 3 × 3 = 9
→ Add: 2 + 9 = 11
→ Divide: 40 ÷ 11 ≈ 3.63


Example 5: Decimal Calculation

Q: 2.5 + 1.5 × 2
Solution:
→ Multiply: 1.5 × 2 = 3
→ Add: 2.5 + 3 = 5.5


07) Practice Questions on Simplification Using BODMAS Rule:

Try these on your own before checking the answers.

S.NoQuestion
120 + 30 × 2 ÷ 5
250 ÷ 2 + 3 × 4
34 + 2 × (6 – 3)²
481 ÷ 3 × (2 + 1)
55 + 2 × 3 – 1
6{6 + 2 × (8 ÷ 4)}²
7(3 + 2) × (4 – 1)²
860 ÷ 5 × (2 + 1) – 4
93² + 5 × 2 – 4
10100 ÷ [5 × (2 + 3)]

08) Answers with Explanation:

  1. 20 + 30 × 2 ÷ 5 → 20 + 60 ÷ 5 = 20 + 12 = 32
  2. 50 ÷ 2 + 3 × 4 → 25 + 12 = 37
  3. 4 + 2 × (6 – 3)² → 4 + 2 × 9 = 4 + 18 = 22
  4. 81 ÷ 3 × (2 + 1) → 27 × 3 = 81
  5. 5 + 2 × 3 – 1 → 5 + 6 – 1 = 10
  6. {6 + 2 × (8 ÷ 4)}² → (6 + 4)² = 10² = 100
  7. (3 + 2) × (4 – 1)² → 5 × 3² = 5 × 9 = 45
  8. 60 ÷ 5 × (2 + 1) – 4 → 12 × 3 – 4 = 36 – 4 = 32
  9. 3² + 5 × 2 – 4 → 9 + 10 – 4 = 15
  10. 100 ÷ [5 × (2 + 3)] → 100 ÷ 25 = 4

09) Tips to Solve Simplification Faster in Exams:

  1. Always follow BODMAS step-by-step.
  2. Avoid doing calculations in your mind if it’s too complex.
  3. Use brackets and underline steps for clarity.
  4. Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
  5. Use shortcuts only when you’re sure of the concept.

10) Final Words:

Simplification using BODMAS rule is a scoring area in every exam. Once you understand the rule, solving complex-looking problems becomes fun and fast. Whether you’re solving school homework, practicing for government exams, or just revising, mastering simplification using BODMAS rule is a must-have skill.

Keep practicing, and soon you’ll solve these in seconds!

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