When using BODMAS (or PEMDAS), division is solved in conjunction with multiplication, working from left to right. The order isn't strictly division then multiplication, but rather whichever operation appears first when reading the expression from left to right.
Here's a breakdown:
Understanding BODMAS/PEMDAS
BODMAS/PEMDAS is an acronym that helps remember the order of operations in mathematical expressions:
- Brackets (or Parentheses)
- Orders (or Exponents)
- Division and Multiplication
- Addition and Subtraction
Division and Multiplication: A Left-to-Right Approach
The key thing to remember is that division and multiplication have equal priority. This means you perform them in the order they appear from left to right. According to the reference "if a division occurs before a multiplication, it's always done first, and the same for if a multiplication occurs before a division."
Examples
Here are a few examples to illustrate this:
-
Example 1:
10 / 2 * 3In this case, division comes before multiplication. So, you would first calculate
10 / 2 = 5, and then5 * 3 = 15. The answer is 15. -
Example 2:
5 * 4 / 2Here, multiplication comes before division. So, you would first calculate
5 * 4 = 20, and then20 / 2 = 10. The answer is 10. -
Example 3:
12 / 3 / 2Since there are two division operations, you work from left to right. First
12 / 3 = 4, then4 / 2 = 2. The answer is 2.
Summary
| Step | Description | Example | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify division and multiplication operations. | 20 / 4 * 2 |
||
| 2 | Perform operations from left to right. | 20 / 4 = 5 |
||
| 3 | Continue from left to right. | 5 * 2 = 10 |
10 |
Conclusion
BODMAS dictates performing division and multiplication from left to right. Treat them as a pair and execute them sequentially as they appear in the expression. This ensures you arrive at the correct answer.
