Order of Operations Tutor is your child's personal maths tutor available 24/7 inside the free Applaa app. It explains every concept step-by-step, adapts to their level, and never moves on until they actually understand — from KS1 basics to A-Level calculus.
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Find "Order of Operations Tutor" and type the problem in plain English — no special symbols needed.
Get a full worked solution with explanations, then ask follow-up questions until it completely clicks.
Master PEMDAS/BODMAS. Here are some of the most popular ways students use Order of Operations Tutor every day:
The Order of Operations (PEMDAS in the US, BODMAS in the UK) is the foundation of all mathematical competence. Yet countless UK students muddle the sequence: some add before multiplying, others calculate left-to-right regardless of operator hierarchy, or they forget that brackets override everything else. This foundational confusion cascades through secondary maths—students can't simplify expressions, make errors in algebra, and struggle with fractions or percentages because they don't execute calculations in the correct order. Order of Operations Tutor teaches the BODMAS sequence (Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction) visually and interactively. The tool breaks down multi-step expressions step-by-step, showing exactly why 2 + 3 × 4 equals 14 (not 20), and why (2 + 3) × 4 equals 20 when brackets are added. With Applaa's guided approach, students internalise the hierarchy so deeply that they apply it automatically, whether in textbook problems, GCSE exams, or real-world calculations. This mastery is non-negotiable for success in any mathematical topic beyond basic arithmetic.
Memorise BODMAS: Brackets, Orders (exponents/powers), Division and Multiplication (left-to-right), Addition and Subtraction (left-to-right). Use Applaa's Order of Operations Tutor to work through multi-step expressions, and watch as the tool highlights each operation in sequence, explaining why it's being done at that step. Start with simple expressions (e.g. 3 + 4 × 2) to see how multiplication takes priority. Progress to expressions with brackets (e.g. (3 + 4) × 2), orders/exponents (e.g. 2 + 3²), and finally to complex mixed expressions. After each example, close the tool and rework the problem without it, verifying your answer using the tool only to check. Create a mental checklist: before calculating, scan the expression for brackets first, then orders, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction. This discipline prevents errors.
The most frequent error is calculating left-to-right regardless of operators: students see 6 - 2 × 3 and calculate 6 - 2 = 4, then 4 × 3 = 12, when the correct answer is 6 - 6 = 0 (multiply first). Students also forget that division and multiplication have equal priority, so they always do division first (or always multiplication first), leading to mistakes in expressions like 12 ÷ 2 × 3 (should be 18, not 2). Brackets are often misunderstood: students calculate the first number in brackets and ignore the rest, or they skip brackets entirely. With exponents, students sometimes treat them as multiplication (2³ becomes 2 × 3 = 6 instead of 8). Applaa's step-by-step visual approach catches these errors immediately, reinforcing the correct sequence until it becomes automatic.
Getting started
Download Applaa free and open Order of Operations Tutor from your math tools—no setup needed
Memorise BODMAS and complete five simple expressions (e.g. 3 + 4 × 2, 2 × 5 - 3) using the tutor's step-by-step guide
Tackle expressions with brackets and exponents next; watch how the tutor highlights which operation happens at each stage
Challenge yourself daily with a mixed expression; time yourself to see how quickly you can identify the correct order and solve accurately
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Because multiplication has higher priority than addition. You must multiply 3 × 4 first (getting 12), then add 2, giving 14. Applaa's Order of Operations Tutor shows this visually so you see why each step happens in that order.
Yes, absolutely. Brackets override the normal order: (2 + 3) × 4 = 5 × 4 = 20, while 2 + 3 × 4 = 2 + 12 = 14. This is why brackets are so powerful in maths—they let you force a specific order when you need something different.
BODMAS applies to all maths, including algebra, fractions, decimals, and percentages. If you don't follow order of operations in algebra, you'll make errors simplifying expressions or solving equations—which is why mastering it now is essential for GCSE and beyond.
Your calculator is correct if you've entered it properly, but most errors come from mistyping. GCSE Maths has non-calculator papers, so you must master order of operations yourself. Use Applaa's tutor to verify your hand calculations until you're completely confident.
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