How do you do Bedmas with brackets?

Cracking the Code: BEDMAS and the Bracket Brigade

Ever stared at a math problem that looks like alphabet soup and wondered where to even begin? Yeah, me too. That’s where BEDMAS comes to the rescue. It’s like a secret decoder ring for math, telling you exactly what to do first, second, and so on, so you don’t end up with a completely bonkers answer.

So, what is BEDMAS, anyway? It’s basically a set of rules – a mathematical pecking order, if you will – that tells you how to solve equations with multiple operations. It’s an acronym, and it stands for:

• Brackets: Gotta tackle what’s inside those parentheses, square brackets, or curly braces first.
• Exponents: Powers and roots are next in line.
• Division: Divide before you multiply, add, or subtract.
• Multiplication: Multiply before you add or subtract.
• Addition: Almost there! Add ’em up.
• Subtraction: Last but not least, subtract.

You might’ve heard it called PEMDAS (Parentheses instead of Brackets) or BODMAS (Orders instead of Exponents). Same difference, really – just a slightly different way of remembering the same order.

Why bother with all this order stuff? Imagine if we didn’t have it. You and I could solve the same problem and get totally different answers! Chaos would ensue. BEDMAS keeps everything consistent, so everyone’s on the same page.

Think about 4 + 3 x 2. If you add first, you get 7 x 2 = 14. But if you multiply first, you get 4 + 6 = 10. BEDMAS says multiply first, so 10 is the winner. See? It matters!

Now, let’s talk brackets. These guys are VIPs in the BEDMAS world. They jump to the front of the line, no matter what else is going on. Anything inside brackets must be simplified before you do anything else.

You’ll see brackets in a few different flavors:

• Parentheses: ( ) – The classic.
• Square Brackets: – Often used when you’ve already got parentheses inside.
• Curly Brackets: { } – Just to keep things interesting!

When you’ve got brackets inside brackets (nested brackets, as they’re called), think of it like peeling an onion. You start with the innermost layer and work your way out.

Here’s a crazy example: {4 x 5 + (6 – 2)} – (8 – 2)

Boom! The answer is 30.

Alright, let’s break down how to use BEDMAS with brackets, step by step:

Quick example: 2 + 3(8 – 6)

So, 2 + 3(8 – 6) = 8. Easy peasy, right?

One more thing: Division and Multiplication are tied for importance. If you see both, just work from left to right. Same goes for Addition and Subtraction.

Like this: 30 ÷ 5 × 3

So, 30 ÷ 5 × 3 = 18. Got it?

A few things to watch out for:

• Forgetting the Order: Seriously, this is the biggest one. Write “BEDMAS” on your paper if you have to!
• Negative Sign Shenanigans: Be extra careful with negative signs, especially with exponents and brackets. They can be sneaky.
• Hidden Multiplication: Remember that a number right outside a bracket means multiplication. 3(2 + 1) is the same as 3 * (2 + 1).

Wrapping it up, mastering BEDMAS, especially when brackets are involved, is a total game-changer for math. Stick with these rules, practice a bit, and you’ll be solving even the trickiest equations like a pro. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!