Why is BODMAS wrong?

Asked by: Erna Carter  |  Last update: July 5, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (58 votes)

BODMAS isn't technically "wrong," but it is an incomplete, often misinterpreted, mnemonic that can lead to errors. It fails by implying a strict order (Multiplication before Division, Addition before Subtraction) rather than treating them as equal pairs—MD (Multiplication/Division) and AS (Addition/Subtraction)—which must be solved from left to right.

Why is BODMAS wrong in maths?

The error illustrated above is caused by the fact that addition and subtraction should not necessarily happen in that order. If we have a string of these two operations we call it a sum and we should work from left to right: Similarly, division is no more important than multiplication.

How do we know BODMAS is correct?

The BODMAS rule states we should calculate the Brackets first (2 + 4 = 6), then the Orders (52 = 25), then any Division or Multiplication (3 x 6 (the answer to the brackets) = 18), and finally any Addition or Subtraction (18 + 25 = 43). Children can get the wrong answer of 35 by working from left to right.

Why is PEMDAS so controversial?

PEMDAS is shortsighted. It ignores mathematical properties (that is, laws), which take precedence over order of operations like PEMDAS (an accepted convention, not a law or property).

Why is 2 2 actually 5?

2 + 2 = 5 or two plus two equals five is a mathematical falsehood which is used as an example of a simple logical error that is obvious to anyone familiar with basic arithmetic. Two Plus Two Make Five (1895), by Alphonse Allais, is a collection of absurdist short stories about anti-intellectualism as politics.

The Order of Operations is Wrong

43 related questions found

What is 1 ➗ 0 and why?

It does not yield a meaningful or valid result. Division by zero violates the fundamental principles of arithmetic and leads to mathematical inconsistencies. Therefore, 1 divided by 0 is undefined.

How do you say "I love you" in math?

You can say "I love you" in math through number codes like 143 (1 letter, 4 letters, 3 letters), using symbols like <3 (heart), or with more complex equations and inequalities that reveal the phrase when solved, such as 9x - 7I > 3(3x - 7U), which simplifies to "I heart you". Other methods involve phone keypads (459) or sequences like the Golden Ratio (1.618) for universal love. 

Why is 3 3x3 equal 12?

I'm not a pro at math but I was taught peMdAs, so for 3+3x3, multiplication comes before addition: 3x3=9+3=12. The answer is 12.

What defines a "correct" answer?

A 'correct answer' is defined as a response that accurately reflects the right solution to a question, contributing to the total score in a testing scenario, as exemplified by the calculation of maximum possible correct answers in a group of questions.

What is the hardest math fact in the world?

Goldbach's Conjecture

This famous statement claims that every even number greater than 2 can be written as the sum of two prime numbers. Despite being tested on millions of examples, no general proof exists. It's an active area of research involving integers, sums, and the properties of prime numbers.

What's the trick to remembering PEMDAS?

The trick to remembering PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) is using a mnemonic phrase like "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally," where the first letter of each word corresponds to the operation's order, remembering that Multiplication/Division and Addition/Subtraction are done as they appear from left to right, not strictly M before D or A before S.

Is maths 100% correct?

The conclusion is that while mathematics (resp. logic) undoubtedly is more exact than any other science, it is not 100% exact. We cannot be 100% sure that a mathematical theorem holds; we just have good reasons to believe it. As any other science, mathematics is based on belief that its results are correct.

Is math real or just made up?

Some argue that mathematics is a human invention, a system of symbols and rules created by people to represent and organize abstract concepts. Others argue that mathematics is a universal and exists independently of human consciousness and that we merely discover and uncover its truths.

What does 153 mean I miss you?

In a certain code language, 'I Love you' is coded as 143, 'I Miss You' is coded as 153, 'Pretty miss' is coded as 75 and 'You are Pretty' is coded as 718.

What does 1.618 mean in love?

1.618: The Golden Ratio is the mathematical proof of the concept of Universal Love. The Golden Ratio is a mathematical sequence that appears all around us in nature, in music, and in art.

How do you say ily in math?

You can say "I love you" in math through number codes like 143 (1 letter, 4 letters, 3 letters), using symbols like <3 (heart), or with more complex equations and inequalities that reveal the phrase when solved, such as 9x - 7I > 3(3x - 7U), which simplifies to "I heart you". Other methods involve phone keypads (459) or sequences like the Golden Ratio (1.618) for universal love. 

Does 0x0 exist?

0× 0 × ____ =1 = 1 . There is no such number. We cannot find it because it doesn't exist. Since it doesn't exist, zero does not have a reciprocal, so dividing by 0 will not work.

Is .99999999999 equal to 1?

It can be proved that this number is 1; that is, Despite common misconceptions, 0.999... is not "almost exactly 1" or "very, very nearly but not quite 1 "; rather, "0.999..." and "1" represent exactly the same number.

What does Terrence Howard say about 1x1 + 2?

Terrence claims that 1*b≠b , therefore 1 is not the identity element of his multiplication, but then he has to provide a number. Following his logic that 1*1=2 and 1*2=3 , then it would follow that 1*0=1 , which would make 0 his identity, but according to him 0*1=0 and there's no number that works on the left side.

What is George Orwell's famous quote?

George Orwell's famous quotes often center on truth, power, language, and politics, highlighting totalitarianism's dangers, like "Big Brother is watching you," and the importance of clear thinking and free speech, with gems such as "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear," and "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act". He famously noted, "Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing," from 1984, and in Animal Farm, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others". 

Why are all double facts even?

An odd number multiplied by 2 result in an even number, because multiplying by 2 will double the number of objects. As a result, if your objects are paired off, every object will have a partner.