Mathwords logoMathwords

BEDMAS — Definition, Formula & Examples

BEDMAS is an acronym that tells you the order in which to perform operations in a math expression: Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. It is the version of the order of operations commonly taught in Canadian schools.

BEDMAS is a mnemonic representing the conventional hierarchy of arithmetic operations: evaluate expressions inside Brackets first, then Exponents, then Division and Multiplication (left to right), and finally Addition and Subtraction (left to right). It is mathematically equivalent to PEMDAS and BODMAS.

How It Works

Work through an expression in this sequence: first simplify anything inside brackets (parentheses), then evaluate exponents. Next, perform division and multiplication as they appear from left to right — neither one outranks the other. Finally, handle addition and subtraction from left to right in the same pass. The letters D and M appear in a specific order in the acronym, but division does not come before multiplication; they share the same priority.

Worked Example

Problem: Evaluate: 6+2×(32−4)6 + 2 \times (3^2 - 4)
Brackets: Simplify the expression inside the brackets. Start with the exponent inside: 32=93^2 = 9, then subtract: 9−4=59 - 4 = 5.
6+2×56 + 2 \times 5
Multiplication: No exponents remain, and there is no division, so perform the multiplication next.
6+106 + 10
Addition: Finally, add.
1616
Answer: 6+2×(32−4)=166 + 2 \times (3^2 - 4) = 16

Why It Matters

BEDMAS appears on every Canadian provincial math curriculum from grade 5 onward. Mastering it prevents errors in algebra, science formulas, and any context where a single expression contains mixed operations.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Assuming Division always comes before Multiplication because D appears before M in the acronym.
Correction: Division and Multiplication share equal priority. Evaluate them left to right in the order they appear. The same rule applies to Addition and Subtraction.

Related Terms