Evaluate brackets and powers first. Multiplication and division share a priority and run left to right; addition and subtraction also share a priority and run left to right.
Use the priority rules, not the letters alone
PEMDAS and BODMAS are reminders for the same basic convention. Neither means that multiplication always comes before division, or that addition always comes before subtraction. Operations in each equal-priority pair are evaluated from left to right.
Write one intermediate line rather than trying to hold the whole expression in memory. For 18 − 3 × 4, first calculate 3 × 4 = 12, then 18 − 12 = 6. Subtracting 3 from 18 first would answer a different, bracketed question.
The exercises are original website practice, not copied app levels. You can continue with Moocsoft’s math puzzle app when you want a separate set of arithmetic and logic challenges.
Questions 1 and 2: the brackets change the answer
1. 8 + 4 × 3
2. (8 + 4) × 3
Calculate both before opening the answer. The same three numbers appear, but they are not grouped in the same way.
Reveal both answers
1: 20. Multiply 4 × 3 = 12, then add 8. 2: 36. Complete the bracket first: 8 + 4 = 12, then multiply by 3. The brackets tell you which total is being multiplied.
When checking a puzzle image, read the symbols as carefully as the numbers. A bracket is part of the question, not decoration.
Questions 3 and 4: equal priority means left to right
3. 24 ÷ 6 × 2
4. 17 − 8 + 3
There are no brackets to change the order. In question 3, division and multiplication share priority. In question 4, subtraction and addition share priority.
Reveal both answers
3: 8. Work left to right: 24 ÷ 6 = 4, then 4 × 2 = 8. Do not turn the expression into 24 ÷ (6 × 2). 4: 12. Calculate 17 − 8 = 9, then 9 + 3 = 12. Adding 8 and 3 first would insert brackets that were not there.
Questions 5 and 6: combine a power with a bracket
5. 3² + 2 × 5
6. 30 ÷ (2 + 3) + 4²
Resolve each bracket or power, then finish the remaining expression using the same rules.
Reveal both answers
5: 19. The square is 9 and the product is 10; 9 + 10 = 19. 6: 22. The bracket is 5 and 4² is 16. You now have 30 ÷ 5 + 16 = 6 + 16 = 22.
Notice that 3² means 3 × 3, not 3 × 2. If powers are unfamiliar, expand them into repeated multiplication on a separate line before continuing.
Keep a useful mistake log
| Mistake | What to check next time |
|---|---|
| Added before multiplying | Mark multiplication or division before the final addition |
| Multiplied before a division to its left | Treat multiplication and division as one priority level |
| Ignored a bracket | Rewrite the bracket as one intermediate value |
| Read a square as doubling | Expand the power as repeated multiplication |
Record the line where your method changed the expression, rather than writing only “wrong.” Then change one number and solve a fresh example. For instance, after correcting 24 ÷ 6 × 2, try 36 ÷ 9 × 3; the answer is 12.
Do not train speed using expressions whose grouping is unclear. Write explicit multiplication symbols and brackets instead of relying on cramped or ambiguous image layouts.
Take the method into a math game
Try a short round in the app after you can explain the six examples. The Google Play version includes arithmetic mini-games alongside the main riddle journey; some additional modes require Premium. Use the current store listing to check what is included on your platform.
A timer does not change the arithmetic rules. If you make repeated errors, return to a written intermediate step before trying to answer faster. For the next exercise, try missing-number puzzles or practise mental multiplication shortcuts.
Common questions
Does multiplication always come before division?
No. They have equal priority. Evaluate them from left to right unless brackets specify a different grouping.
Do BODMAS and PEMDAS give different answers?
Not when applied correctly to the same clearly written expression. Both put multiplication/division at one priority level and addition/subtraction at another.
Can I solve these questions without installing the app?
Yes. Every question and explanation on this page is available in your browser. The app offers a separate collection for continued play.
Published by Moocsoft, the independent studio behind Math Riddles. Examples and worksheets are illustrative. App features can vary by platform and version; see the store listing for current availability and in-app purchases.