Order of Operation, BODMAS Meaning and Problems for Primary 6

Class: Primary 6
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 1
Age: 11 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: General Mathematics
Curriculum Theme: Number and Numeration
Previous Lesson: Money, Taxes, Rates, Shares, Dividends and Conversion.
Topic: ORDER OF OPERATION (BODMAS)
Subject Matter: Meaning of BODMAS as order of operations, solving problems using BODMAS, quantitative reasoning on BODMAS

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Define BODMAS.
• Recall the order of operations represented by BODMAS.
• Solve mathematical problems involving multiple operations using BODMAS.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of following a specific order in calculations to get correct answers.
• Show confidence in applying BODMAS to solve problems.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Accurately apply the BODMAS rule to simplify expressions.
• Solve quantitative reasoning problems using BODMAS.

Social Domain:

• Collaborate with peers to solve BODMAS problems.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum (Primary 4-6)
• State Unified Scheme of Work for Primary 6 Mathematics
• New General Mathematics for Primary Schools, Book 6
• https://www.math-only-math.com/bodmas-rule.html
• https://byjus.com/maths/bodmas-rule/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Textbook
• Workbook
• Multiplication chart
• Flashcards with mathematical operations
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding BODMAS helps pupils to solve mathematical problems involving several operations in the correct sequence. This skill is important for accurate calculations in daily life and for advanced mathematics, preventing errors in complex equations.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Lesson Content / Board Summary

ORDER OF OPERATION (BODMAS)

Meaning of Order of Operation

Order of operation tells us which operation to do first and which follows next when solving a mathematics expression that contains more than one operation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

Following the correct order ensures that the final answer is correct.

Meaning of BODMAS

BODMAS is an acronym used to remember the correct order in which mathematical operations should be performed when solving expressions with multiple operations.

The letters in BODMAS stand for the following:

B — Brackets
O — Orders (Powers, Indices, Roots)
D — Division
M — Multiplication
A — Addition
S — Subtraction

BODMAS is also known as PEMDAS:

P — Parentheses (Brackets)
E — Exponents (Orders)
M — Multiplication
D — Division
A — Addition
S — Subtraction

Both names mean the same order of solving.

Importance of BODMAS and Order of Operation

The order of operation is important because answers become wrong when operations are done in the wrong order.

Consider the expression:

8 + 4 × 2

Wrong order

Step 1: Addition first
8 + 4 = 12

Step 2: Multiply
12 × 2 = 24

Answer = 24 ❌

Correct BODMAS order

Step 1: Multiplication (because it comes before addition)
4 × 2 = 8

Step 2: Addition
8 + 8 = 16

Answer = 16 ✅

This shows that following the correct order gives the correct result.

Rules for Applying BODMAS

When solving a mathematical expression, operations should be carried out in the following order:

1. Solve brackets first.
2. Solve orders (powers).
3. Do division and multiplication from left to right (which ever comes first).
4. Do addition and subtraction from left to right (which ever comes first).

NOTE: Never change the order.

Solving Problems Using BODMAS

Example 1

Simplify:
6 + 4 × 2 − 10 ÷ 5

Solution:

Step 1: Division (because division comes before addition/subtraction)
10 ÷ 5 = 2

Step 2: Multiplication
4 × 2 = 8

Step 3: Addition
6 + 8 = 14

Step 4: Subtraction
14 − 2 = 12

Answer: 12

Example 2

Simplify:
(5 + 3) × 2 − 4

Solution:

Step 1: Brackets (always first)
5 + 3 = 8

Step 2: Multiplication
8 × 2 = 16

Step 3: Subtraction
16 − 4 = 12

Answer: 12

Example 3

Simplify:
18 ÷ 3 + 5 × 2

Solution:

Step 1: Division
18 ÷ 3 = 6

Step 2: Multiplication
5 × 2 = 10

Step 3: Addition
6 + 10 = 16

Answer: 16

Example 4

Simplify:
20 − 6 ÷ 3 + 4

Solution:

Step 1: Division
6 ÷ 3 = 2

Step 2: Subtraction (left to right)
20 − 2 = 18

Step 3: Addition
18 + 4 = 22

Answer: 22

Key Solving Notes

NOTE:

• Always follow BODMAS order.
• Brackets must be solved first.
• Division and multiplication come before addition and subtraction.
• Work from left to right when operations are equal.

Following these rules prevents mistakes and gives correct answers.

BODMAS and Equal-priority Operations

BODMAS means Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. It prevents the same expression from being evaluated in different orders. Division and multiplication have equal priority and are done from left to right; addition and subtraction also have equal priority and are done from left to right.

Example: 18 ÷ 3 × 2 = 6 × 2 = 12, not 18 ÷ 6. Example: 5 + 3 × (8 − 6) = 5 + 3 × 2 = 11. Write one line for each step so an error can be checked.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to solve a simple problem like “2 + 3 × 4” without specific instructions, noting down different answers. The teacher then introduces the topic by explaining that a standard order is needed to get one correct answer.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to solve the problem and share their answers. They listen attentively to the teacher’s introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the need for a standard order of operations.

Step 2: Meaning of BODMAS

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes BODMAS on the board and explains what each letter stands for, emphasizing the sequence. The teacher defines BODMAS as the rule for the order of operations.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, write down the meaning of BODMAS and what each letter represents in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the acronym BODMAS and its full meaning.

Step 3: Explaining the BODMAS Order

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher elaborates on each part of BODMAS, giving simple examples for brackets, orders (e.g., squares), and explaining that division and multiplication are done from left to right, as are addition and subtraction. The teacher stresses that division/multiplication take precedence over addition/subtraction.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils pay close attention, ask questions for clarity, and take notes on the rules and examples.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the hierarchy and left-to-right rule for operations.

Step 4: Solving Problems Using BODMAS

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes an example problem on the board (e.g., 6 + 4 × 2 – 10 ÷ 5) and solves it step-by-step, explaining each application of the BODMAS rule. The teacher then gives another similar problem for pupils to try.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s example, then attempt to solve the new problem in their exercise books, applying the BODMAS rule.
Learning Point: Pupils practice applying BODMAS to solve problems.

Step 5: Quantitative Reasoning on BODMAS

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Problem-Solving
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces a simple quantitative reasoning problem involving BODMAS, such as finding a missing number in an equation where BODMAS must be applied. The teacher guides pupils through the solution process.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to solve the quantitative reasoning problem with teacher guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils apply BODMAS in quantitative reasoning contexts.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What does the acronym BODMAS stand for?
2. State the correct order of operations according to BODMAS.
3. Simplify: 6 + 4 × 2 – 10 ÷ 5.
4. Solve: (12 – 4) ÷ 2 + 7.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher quickly summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of BODMAS for accurate calculations. The teacher assigns homework from the textbook.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for independent practice.

Home Task: Solve three new exercises on ORDER OF OPERATION (BODMAS). Show each step and check each answer.

Lesson Keywords

• BODMAS – An acronym representing the order of mathematical operations: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
• Operation – A mathematical process such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
• Brackets – Symbols like ( ) used to group parts of an expression, indicating they should be solved first.
• Order – Refers to powers (exponents) or roots in a mathematical expression.
• Simplify – To reduce an expression to its simplest form.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher will provide more complex problems involving higher numbers or multiple brackets. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will offer simplified problems and provide individual guidance, focusing on one operation at a time.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils understand that Division and Multiplication have equal priority, as do Addition and Subtraction. The tie-breaker for these pairs is always to work from left to right within the expression.