Hierarchy of Operations
Maths: Edexcel IGCSE Higher, topic 1.1.4
BIDMAS
‘BIDMAS’ tells you what order to do 'operations' in.
B for Brackets
- Any operations in brackets are done first.
- Always start with the innermost set of brackets.
I for Indices
- Any powers should be done second.
- For example squaring a number or taking the cube root.
D for Division
M for Multiplication
A for Addition
S for Subtraction
Inverse Operations
Inverse operations are the opposite of each other. If you do one after the other, the number (or answer) won’t change. If inverses appear in a row, you can just cancel them out.
Addition and subtraction
- Adding 2 is the inverse of subtracting 2.
- Adding 10 is the inverse of subtracting 10.
Multiplication and division
- Multiplying by a number is the inverse of dividing by the same number.
Square and square root
- Squaring a number is the inverse of taking the square root.
Test yourself on Hierarchy of Operations
What operation is done first in a mathematical equation?
Use BIDMAS to find the value of the following:
2 + 9 ÷ 3Use BIDMAS to find the value of the following:
(2 + 1)2 - 1Which of these does NOT equal 5?
Which of these does NOT equal 1?