Mixed Operations of Whole Numbers

Mixed Operations of Whole Numbers

Mixed operations involve more than one mathematical operation in a single expression. To get the correct answer, we must follow the correct order of operations known as BODMAS.

  • B – Brackets
  • O – Of (powers and roots)
  • D – Division
  • M – Multiplication
  • A – Addition
  • S – Subtraction

Order of Operations (BODMAS)

LetterMeaning
BBrackets
OOf
DDivision
MMultiplication
AAddition
SSubtraction

Worked Example

Evaluate:

784 + 930 ÷ 31 − (41 − 5) × 3
Step 1 (Brackets): (41 − 5) = 36
784 + 930 ÷ 31 − 36 × 3
Step 2 (Division): 930 ÷ 31 = 30
784 + 30 − 36 × 3
Step 3 (Multiplication): 36 × 3 = 108
784 + 30 − 108
Step 4 (Addition): 784 + 30 = 814
Step 5 (Subtraction): 814 − 108 = 706

Final Answer: 706

Watch Explanation Video

Interactive Activity: Choose the Next Step

Which operation should be done first in the expression below?

784 + 930 ÷ 31 − (41 − 5) × 3
Mixed Operations of Whole Numbers

Mixed Operations of Whole Numbers (BODMAS)

1. Evaluate

1(a) 175 + 25 ÷ 5 + 160 × 2

Answer:
25 ÷ 5 = 5
160 × 2 = 320
175 + 5 + 320 = 505
1(b) 514 + (516 − 26) × 5 − 13 × 5

Answer:
(516 − 26) = 490
490 × 5 = 2450
13 × 5 = 65
514 + 2450 − 65 = 2899
1(c) 560 ÷ (245 + 35) + 84 ÷ 21

Answer:
245 + 35 = 280
560 ÷ 280 = 2
84 ÷ 21 = 4
2 + 4 = 6
1(d) (415 − 258 + 363 ÷ 121) ÷ 8

Answer:
363 ÷ 121 = 3
415 − 258 = 157
157 + 3 = 160
160 ÷ 8 = 20
1(e) 84 ÷ 14 − 15 + 15 − 65 × 10 + 700

Answer:
84 ÷ 14 = 6
65 × 10 = 650
6 − 15 + 15 − 650 + 700 = 56

Word Problems

2. Kinuthia ordered 15 cartons of chocolates. Each carton holds 20 boxes and each box has 12 chocolates. How many chocolates did he order altogether?

Answer:
20 × 12 = 240 chocolates per carton
240 × 15 = 3600 chocolates
3. Mutiso pays Ksh 55 for dinner and Ksh 45 for lunch daily. Find the total amount he pays for the month of June (30 days).

Answer:
Daily cost: 55 + 45 = 100
100 × 30 = Ksh 3000
4. Out of 180,000 Vitamin A tablets, 18,734 tablets are distributed. How many tablets remain?

Answer:
180,000 − 18,734 = 161,266 tablets