BODMAS Blast: Mission Control
Launch Rockets with Logic
T-Minus 10... To launch the rocket, you must program the guidance computer correctly. But the computer strictly follows the Order of Operations.
BODMAS Blast gamifies calculating complex number sentences. It teaches children that $2 + 3 \times 4$ is NOT $20$, but $14$, because multiplication happens before addition!
🚀 The Launch Code (BODMAS)
The acronym BODMAS (or BIDMAS) acts as a checklist for solving sums:
- Brackets: Solving the hidden sums inside ( ) first.
- Orders (or Indices): Powers like $3^2$ or square roots.
- D/M (Division & Multiplication): These are equal rank—solve them left to right!
- A/S (Addition & Subtraction): Also equal rank—solve them left to right last.
Flight Training (Year 6)
Order of Operations
Use knowledge of the order of operations to carry out calculations involving the four
operations.
Mental Calculation
Perform mental calculations, including with mixed operations and large numbers.
👨‍👩‍👧 Flight Director's Tips
Common pitfalls to watch for:
- "Remember, Division and Multiplication are a team. Neither is 'stronger', just do whichever comes first on the left."
- "Always shield the sum in Brackets and protect it until it's a single number!"
