Mathematics·Multiplication & Division·conceptual
Ratio (age 11+)
Use conventional notation for the priority of operations including brackets, powers, roots, and reciprocals; apply BIDMAS/BODMAS consistently to evaluate complex numerical expressions
Suggested ages 11–12
Evidence of understanding
- Evaluate expressions involving brackets, indices, and all four operations in the correct order
- Explain why the order of operations is necessary to avoid ambiguity
- Use the reciprocal of a number and understand that a number multiplied by its reciprocal gives 1
Assessment prompt
Can Ratio (age 11+) evaluate a complex expression like '5 + 2³ ÷ 4' correctly — applying the right order of operations, handling the power before the division and division before the addition?
Standards alignment
KS3.Maths.Num.5GB · uk-nc-2013
Priority of Operations
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 3