Select and carry out calculations in the correct order of precedence using the ‘rules’ of BODMAS (Brackets first then Other then Division then Multiplication then Addition and finally Subtraction).
Do you remember BODMAS? It stands for 'brackets', 'other', 'division', 'multiplication', 'addition' and 'subtraction'. The order in which we carry out a calculation is important.
What is \(2 + 3 \times 4\) ?
If we calculate the \(2 + 3\) part first, we get:
\((2 + 3) \times 4\)
\(= 5 \times 4 = 20\)
If we calculate the \(3 \times 4\) part first, we get:
\(2 + (3 \times 4)\)
\(= 2 + 12 = 14\)
These are obviously two different answers - but which one is correct?
BODMAS tells us that 'multiplication' comes before 'addition', so the second answer is correct: