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UGC NET BODMAS

Study Material — 4 PYQs (2018–2020) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

UGC NET BODMAS is a frequently tested subtopic — 4 previous year questions from 2018–2020 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.

4 PYQs
2018–2020
57 Practice
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8 Key Points
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Previous Year Questions

UGC NET BODMAS — Past Exam Questions

4 questions from actual UGC NET papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution

Exam Q 12020Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: 48 ÷ 6 + 12 × 2 − 5

Exam Q 22018Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: 18 + 4 × 5 – 10 ÷ 2

Exam Q 32020Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: 144 ÷ 12 + 8 × 3 − 5 + 2 × 6 ÷ 3

Exam Q 42020Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: 144 ÷ 12 + 8 × 3 − 5 + 2³ ÷ 4 × 6 − 10

Concept Notes

BODMAS— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Key Rules

Division and Multiplication have equal priority - solve whichever comes first from left to right. Same applies to Addition and Subtraction. Always complete one bracket fully before moving to the next. When you have nested brackets, solve the innermost bracket first

Formula Sequence

B → O → DM (left to right) → AS (left to right) SSC CGL regularly tests BODMAS in 2-3 questions per paper

Common patterns include

Complex expressions with all operations mixed together. Nested brackets with multiple levels. Fraction expressions requiring BODMAS application. Word problems disguised as BODMAS questions.

Questions with deliberate traps to test if you know the correct sequence

Powerful Shortcut

Use the BRACKET-FIRST technique. When you see a complex expression, immediately identify and mark all brackets with different colors or underlines. Solve the deepest nested bracket first, then work outward. This prevents confusion and saves time.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Handle Brackets first. Inside bracket: 15 - 3² = 15 - 9 = 6

2
Step 2

Expression becomes 48 ÷ 8 + 3 × 6 + 2

3
Step 3

Division first (left to right): 48 ÷ 8 = 6

4
Step 4

Expression becomes 6 + 3 × 6 + 2

5
Step 5

Multiplication next: 3 × 6 = 18

6
Step 6

Expression becomes 6 + 18 + 2

7
Step 7

Addition left to right: 6 + 18 + 2 = 26 Final Answer: 26 Another

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question

When dealing with fractions, treat the numerator and denominator as separate BODMAS problems. Solve each completely, then divide.

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

Students often solve operations left to right without following BODMAS priority. For example, in 2 + 3 × 4, wrong approach gives (2 + 3) × 4 = 20, but correct BODMAS gives 2 + (3 × 4) = 14. Another trap is forgetting that Division and Multiplication are equal priority, same with Addition and Subtraction.

Key Points to Remember

  • BODMAS stands for Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
  • Division and Multiplication have equal priority - solve left to right
  • Addition and Subtraction have equal priority - solve left to right
  • Always solve brackets first, starting with innermost nested brackets
  • Orders include squares, cubes, square roots, and all indices
  • Apply BODMAS to both numerator and denominator separately in fractions
  • Left to right rule applies only within operations of same priority
  • Complete one bracket entirely before moving to operations outside it

Exam-Specific Tips

  • BODMAS sequence is: Brackets → Orders → Division/Multiplication → Addition/Subtraction
  • Division and Multiplication are solved left to right with equal priority
  • Addition and Subtraction are solved left to right with equal priority
  • Square root symbol acts as both bracket and order operation
  • In nested brackets, innermost bracket is solved first
  • Powers/indices are solved before multiplication even when multiplication appears first
  • Fraction bar acts as a grouping symbol like brackets
Practice MCQs

BODMAS — Practice Questions

57graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 57

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

Simplify: 18 + 6 × 4 − 12 ÷ 3

Practice 2easy

Evaluate: 72 ÷ 8 + 6 × 3 − 4

Practice 3easy

Simplify: 2 + 3 × 4 − 6 ÷ 2

Practice 4easy

Simplify: 50 − 10 × 2 + 8 ÷ 4

Practice 5easy

Simplify: 48 ÷ 6 + 12 × 2 − 5

Practice 6easy

Calculate: 60 ÷ 5 × 2 + 18 − 6

Practice 7easy

Simplify: 36 + 12 ÷ 3 − 8 × 2

Practice 8easy

Evaluate: 60 ÷ 5 + 7 × 3 − 9

Practice 9easy

Calculate: 36 ÷ 3 × 2 + 10 − 8

Practice 10easy

Simplify: 72 ÷ 8 × 2 + 10 − 6

Practice 11easy

Simplify: 48 ÷ 6 + 8 × 3 − 5

Practice 12easy

Simplify: 48 ÷ 6 + 8 × 2 − 5

Practice 13easy

Solve: 5 × 6 − 8 ÷ 2 + 4

Practice 14easy

Simplify: 2 + 8 × 3 − 12 ÷ 4

Practice 15easy

Evaluate: 100 − 20 ÷ 4 + 3 × 5

Practice 16easy

Calculate: 36 ÷ 6 × 2 + 5 − 3

Practice 17easy

Evaluate: 5 + 3 × 8 − 12 ÷ 4 + 2

Practice 18easy

Evaluate: 100 − 20 ÷ 4 + 3 × 5

Practice 19easy

What is the value of 100 − 20 × 3 + 15 ÷ 5?

Practice 20medium

Simplify: 36 + 12 ÷ 4 × 2 − 9

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60-Second Revision — BODMAS

  • Remember: B-O-DM-AS sequence with left-to-right for equal priorities
  • Trap: Division and Multiplication are equal - don't always do division first
  • Technique: Mark all brackets first, solve innermost to outermost
  • Formula: Treat fraction numerator and denominator as separate BODMAS problems
  • Shortcut: Complete each bracket fully before moving outside
  • Warning: Addition and Subtraction are equal priority - solve left to right
←Simplification & ApproximationSurds & Indices→
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