Yes, in mathematics, you always perform calculations inside brackets first.
According to the information, if there are brackets in a calculation, the part inside the brackets must be done before any other operations. It doesn't matter if the operation inside the bracket is division, multiplication, addition, or subtraction.
This rule is part of the order of operations, often remembered by the acronyms BODMAS, BIDMAS, or PEDMAS. These acronyms guide the order in which to solve a mathematical expression, with brackets always taking precedence.
Order of Operations: BODMAS/BIDMAS/PEDMAS
The order of operations, regardless of whether you use BODMAS, BIDMAS or PEDMAS, always prioritizes brackets. Here's a quick overview of what each letter stands for:
- B - Brackets / P - Parentheses: ( )
- O - Orders / I - Indices / E - Exponents: powers, square roots, etc.
- D - Division
- M - Multiplication
- A - Addition
- S - Subtraction
Why Brackets Are First
Brackets group parts of a calculation that need to be solved before the rest of the expression. This ensures the correct outcome of a complex mathematical problem.
Example
Consider the following example:
2 x (3 + 4)
Without brackets, this could be incorrectly calculated as 2 x 3 + 4 = 6 + 4 = 10. However, with the brackets, we must calculate 3 + 4 first giving 7, then multiply by 2, yielding the correct answer of 14.
Here is how the problem should be solved using the order of operations:
- Brackets: 3 + 4 = 7
- Multiplication: 2 x 7 = 14
Therefore, the correct answer is 14, and this was achieved by doing the part in the brackets first.
Key Takeaway
| Order | Operation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brackets |
| 2 | Orders/Indices/Exponents |
| 3 | Division & Multiplication (from left to right) |
| 4 | Addition & Subtraction (from left to right) |
In conclusion, if you encounter brackets in a mathematical problem, remember they have the highest priority and must be solved first.
