BODMAS & VBODMAS Rules


Ex: Solve 12 + 8 ÷ 4


Sol: Soln is as follows = 12 + 8 ×(1/4) = 12 + 2 = 14


Note: Many students incorrectly solve 12 + 8 ÷ 4 as 20 ÷ 4 = 5. This is wrong because they ignore the BODMAS rule. According to BODMAS, division must be done before multiplication and addition. While solving simplification questions, always follow the correct sequence to avoid mistakes and get accurate answers.


VBODMAS & BODMAS Rules


V = Vinculum (Bar / Overline)


This rule includes V because some questions contain a bar like: 6+4‾ bar on top or use bracket


Order becomes:



  1. V → Vinculum (Bar), A bar is used to group numbers without using brackets.

  2. B → Bracket

  3. O → Order ( Powers, roots )

  4. D → Division

  5. M → Multiplication

  6. A → Addition

  7. S → Subtraction


BODMAS


No Vinculum. Used when no bar is present.



  1. B → Bracket

  2. O → Order (powers, roots)

  3. D → Division

  4. M → Multiplication

  5. A → Addition

  6. S → Subtraction


Final Simple Rule


If the expression has a bar (overline) → use VBODMAS


If no bar → use BODMAS


VBODMAS Rule


1. Simple Bodmas Example


Q: 12 + 6 ÷ 3


1st : Division first : 6 ÷ 3 = 2


2nd  Now add : 12 + 2 = 14


Ans = 14


Q. 50 - 5×2 + 10 + 2


Follow BODMAS / PEMDAS rule: Brackets → Orders → Division → Multiplication → Addition → Subtraction



  1. Multiply first: 5×2 =10

  2. Substitute back: 50 -10 +10 + 2

  3. Now go left to right for + and - : 50 -10 = 40, 40 + 10 = 50, 50 + 2 = 52


Ans : 52


2. Medium Bodmas Example


Q. 20 - 4 × (10 ÷ 2)


1st : Solve bracket first: 10 ÷ 2 = 5


Now expression becomes: 20 – 4 × 5


2nd : Multiplication: 4 × 5 = 20


3rd : Subtraction: 20 – 20 = 0


Ans = 0


3. Tough Bodmas Example


Solve:


40 − [6 + {12−4×(18÷3)}] ÷ 2


Soln


1st Solve the innermost bracket ( )


Inside ( ) we have: 18÷3 = 6


Now the expression becomes: 40 − [6+{12−4×6}]÷2


2nd Multiplication next : 4 × 6 = 24


Now: 40 - [6+{12−24}] ÷ 2


3rd  Solve curly bracket { } : 2−24 = −12, Now 40 - [6+(−12)] ÷ 24


4th Solve square bracket [ ] : 6 + (−12) = −6 , So we get: 40 - (-6) ÷ 2


5th Division first : (−6) ÷ 2 = −3, Now: 40 - (-3)


6th  Subtraction becomes addition : 40 + 3 = 43


Ans = 43



Q. VBODMAS Example: Simplify the expression: 18 – [6 – {4 – (8 – 6 + 3  )}], bar on above 6 + 3


Sol: This is an example where brackets are given. Brackets are solved after Bar. The order of Solving the brackets is (), {} and [] respectively. So, the solution of above examples is as follows.
= 18 – [6 - {4 – (8 – 9)}] ⇒ 18 – [6 – {4 – (- 1)}]
= 18 – [6 - {4 + 1}] ⇒ 18 – [ 6 – 5] ⇒ 18 – [ 1] = 18 – 1 = 17