Primary Resources: Maths: Calculations: Using a Calculator & BODMAS

Calculator Activities & BODMAS: Enhancing Mathematical Skills

Calculator Activities & BODMAS:

Dive into the essential concepts of calculator activities and BODMAS (Order of Operations), explore various methods, and practice with 50 carefully curated questions suitable for all grade levels.

Calculator Activities

Calculator activities are designed to enhance students' computational skills and familiarize them with using calculators effectively. These activities range from basic calculations to more complex problems involving BODMAS.

Basic Calculator Skills

Understanding how to use a calculator is fundamental for performing quick and accurate calculations. Basic calculator skills include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Example 1: Basic Addition

Calculate the sum of 25 and 17 using a calculator:

\[ 25 + 17 = 42 \]

BODMAS and Calculator Use

BODMAS stands for Brackets, Orders (i.e., powers and square roots, etc.), Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. It is a rule that defines the order in which operations should be performed to correctly solve expressions.

Example 2: Applying BODMAS

Evaluate the expression using a calculator:

\[ 6 + 2 \times (5 - 3)^2 \]

Solution:

\[ 6 + 2 \times (2)^2 = 6 + 2 \times 4 = 6 + 8 = 14 \]

Interactive Calculator Games

Engaging in interactive calculator games can make learning arithmetic more enjoyable and effective. These games often incorporate elements of competition and fun to motivate students.

Example 3: Calculator Bingo

Play a game of Calculator Bingo where students solve arithmetic problems using a calculator and mark their bingo cards with the answers.

BODMAS (Order of Operations)

BODMAS is a mnemonic used to remember the order of operations: Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. Proper application of BODMAS ensures that mathematical expressions are evaluated correctly.

Understanding BODMAS

Let's break down each component of BODMAS:

  • Brackets: Solve expressions inside brackets first.
  • Orders: Calculate powers and roots next.
  • Division and Multiplication: Perform these operations from left to right.
  • Addition and Subtraction: Perform these operations from left to right.

Applying BODMAS

When evaluating expressions, follow the BODMAS rules to determine the correct order of operations.

Example 4: Complex Expression

Evaluate the following expression:

\[ 8 + (3 \times 2)^2 - 5 \]

Solution:

\[ 8 + (6)^2 - 5 = 8 + 36 - 5 = 44 - 5 = 39 \]

Common Mistakes

Students often make mistakes by not following the correct order of operations, especially when multiple operations are involved. Ensuring a strong grasp of BODMAS can help avoid these errors.

Example 5: Incorrect vs. Correct Evaluation

Incorrect:

\[ 7 + 3 \times 2 = 20 \]

Correct:

\[ 7 + (3 \times 2) = 7 + 6 = 13 \]

Practice Questions

Enhance your understanding of calculator activities and BODMAS by practicing the following 50 questions. Each question is accompanied by a detailed solution to aid your learning.

Grade 5

Question 1: Calculate $12 + 7 \times 3$ using BODMAS.

Solution:

\[ 12 + (7 \times 3) = 12 + 21 = 33 \]

Question 2: Evaluate $ (5 + 3) \times 2$.

Solution:

\[ (5 + 3) \times 2 = 8 \times 2 = 16 \]

Question 3: What is $20 \div 4 + 6$?

Solution:

\[ 20 \div 4 + 6 = 5 + 6 = 11 \]

Question 4: Solve $ (10 - 2) \times (3 + 1)$.

Solution:

\[ (10 - 2) \times (3 + 1) = 8 \times 4 = 32 \]

Question 5: Calculate $50 \div (5 \times 2)$.

Solution:

\[ 50 \div (5 \times 2) = 50 \div 10 = 5 \]

Grade 6

Question 6: Evaluate $ (6 + 4) \times 3 - 5$.

Solution:

\[ (6 + 4) \times 3 - 5 = 10 \times 3 - 5 = 30 - 5 = 25 \]

Question 7: What is $18 \div (3 + 3)$?

Solution:

\[ 18 \div (3 + 3) = 18 \div 6 = 3 \]

Question 8: Solve $ (7 \times 2) + (8 \div 4)$.

Solution:

\[ (7 \times 2) + (8 \div 4) = 14 + 2 = 16 \]

Question 9: Calculate $ (15 - 5) \times 2 + 10$.

Solution:

\[ (15 - 5) \times 2 + 10 = 10 \times 2 + 10 = 20 + 10 = 30 \]

Question 10: Evaluate $ 100 \div (10 - 2) \times 3$.

Solution:

\[ 100 \div (10 - 2) \times 3 = 100 \div 8 \times 3 = 12.5 \times 3 = 37.5 \]

Grade 7

Question 11: What is $ (12 + 8) \times (5 - 2)$?

Solution:

\[ (12 + 8) \times (5 - 2) = 20 \times 3 = 60 \]

Question 12: Solve $ 60 \div (5 \times 2) + 7$.

Solution:

\[ 60 \div (5 \times 2) + 7 = 60 \div 10 + 7 = 6 + 7 = 13 \]

Question 13: Calculate $ (9 + 6) \times (4 - 1) \div 3$.

Solution:

\[ (9 + 6) \times (4 - 1) \div 3 = 15 \times 3 \div 3 = 45 \div 3 = 15 \]

Question 14: Evaluate $ 50 \div (5 + 5) \times (2 + 3)$.

Solution:

\[ 50 \div (5 + 5) \times (2 + 3) = 50 \div 10 \times 5 = 5 \times 5 = 25 \]

Question 15: What is $ (20 - 4) \times 2 + 10 \div 2$?

Solution:

\[ (20 - 4) \times 2 + 10 \div 2 = 16 \times 2 + 5 = 32 + 5 = 37 \]

Grade 8

Question 16: Calculate $ (25 + 15) \times (10 \div 2)$.

Solution:

\[ (25 + 15) \times (10 \div 2) = 40 \times 5 = 200 \]

Question 17: What is $ 144 \div (12 \times 2) + 9$?

Solution:

\[ 144 \div (12 \times 2) + 9 = 144 \div 24 + 9 = 6 + 9 = 15 \]

Question 18: Solve $ (30 - 10) \times (6 + 2) \div 4$.

Solution:

\[ (30 - 10) \times (6 + 2) \div 4 = 20 \times 8 \div 4 = 160 \div 4 = 40 \]

Question 19: Evaluate $ 200 \div (25 \times 2) + 15$.

Solution:

\[ 200 \div (25 \times 2) + 15 = 200 \div 50 + 15 = 4 + 15 = 19 \]

Question 20: What is $ (50 + 25) \times (10 \div 5)$?

Solution:

\[ (50 + 25) \times (10 \div 5) = 75 \times 2 = 150 \]

Grade 9

Question 21: Calculate $ (45 + 30) \times (15 \div 3) - 20$.

Solution:

\[ (45 + 30) \times (15 \div 3) - 20 = 75 \times 5 - 20 = 375 - 20 = 355 \]

Question 22: What is $ 300 \div (25 \times 4) + 50$?

Solution:

\[ 300 \div (25 \times 4) + 50 = 300 \div 100 + 50 = 3 + 50 = 53 \]

Question 23: Solve $ (60 - 20) \times (8 + 2) \div 5$.

Solution:

\[ (60 - 20) \times (8 + 2) \div 5 = 40 \times 10 \div 5 = 400 \div 5 = 80 \]

Question 24: Evaluate $ 500 \div (50 \times 2) + 25$.

Solution:

\[ 500 \div (50 \times 2) + 25 = 500 \div 100 + 25 = 5 + 25 = 30 \]

Question 25: What is $ (80 + 40) \times (20 \div 5)$?

Solution:

\[ (80 + 40) \times (20 \div 5) = 120 \times 4 = 480 \]

Grade 10

Question 26: Calculate $ (100 + 50) \times (30 \div 6) - 40$.

Solution:

\[ (100 + 50) \times (30 \div 6) - 40 = 150 \times 5 - 40 = 750 - 40 = 710 \]

Question 27: What is $ 400 \div (50 \times 4) + 60$?

Solution:

\[ 400 \div (50 \times 4) + 60 = 400 \div 200 + 60 = 2 + 60 = 62 \]

Question 28: Solve $ (90 - 30) \times (12 + 3) \div 9$.

Solution:

\[ (90 - 30) \times (12 + 3) \div 9 = 60 \times 15 \div 9 = 900 \div 9 = 100 \]

Question 29: Evaluate $ 800 \div (80 \times 5) + 100$.

Solution:

\[ 800 \div (80 \times 5) + 100 = 800 \div 400 + 100 = 2 + 100 = 102 \]

Question 30: What is $ (120 + 60) \times (25 \div 5)$?

Solution:

\[ (120 + 60) \times (25 \div 5) = 180 \times 5 = 900 \]

Grade 11

Question 31: Calculate $ (150 + 75) \times (40 \div 8) - 60$.

Solution:

\[ (150 + 75) \times (40 \div 8) - 60 = 225 \times 5 - 60 = 1125 - 60 = 1065 \]

Question 32: What is $ 600 \div (60 \times 3) + 80$?

Solution:

\[ 600 \div (60 \times 3) + 80 = 600 \div 180 + 80 = 3.\overline{3} + 80 = 83.\overline{3} \]

Question 33: Solve $ (200 - 50) \times (16 + 4) \div 8$.

Solution:

\[ (200 - 50) \times (16 + 4) \div 8 = 150 \times 20 \div 8 = 3000 \div 8 = 375 \]

Question 34: Evaluate $ 1000 \div (100 \times 5) + 150$.

Solution:

\[ 1000 \div (100 \times 5) + 150 = 1000 \div 500 + 150 = 2 + 150 = 152 \]

Question 35: What is $ (250 + 125) \times (50 \div 10)$?

Solution:

\[ (250 + 125) \times (50 \div 10) = 375 \times 5 = 1875 \]

Grade 12

Question 36: Calculate $ (300 + 150) \times (60 \div 12) - 120$.

Solution:

\[ (300 + 150) \times (60 \div 12) - 120 = 450 \times 5 - 120 = 2250 - 120 = 2130 \]

Question 37: What is $ 1200 \div (120 \times 4) + 200$?

Solution:

\[ 1200 \div (120 \times 4) + 200 = 1200 \div 480 + 200 = 2.5 + 200 = 202.5 \]

Question 38: Solve $ (400 - 100) \times (24 + 6) \div 12$.

Solution:

\[ (400 - 100) \times (24 + 6) \div 12 = 300 \times 30 \div 12 = 9000 \div 12 = 750 \]

Question 39: Evaluate $ 2000 \div (200 \times 5) + 250$.

Solution:

\[ 2000 \div (200 \times 5) + 250 = 2000 \div 1000 + 250 = 2 + 250 = 252 \]

Question 40: What is $ (350 + 175) \times (75 \div 15)$?

Solution:

\[ (350 + 175) \times (75 \div 15) = 525 \times 5 = 2625 \]

Grade 11-12

Question 41: Calculate $ (500 + 250) \times (100 \div 20) - 300$.

Solution:

\[ (500 + 250) \times (100 \div 20) - 300 = 750 \times 5 - 300 = 3750 - 300 = 3450 \]

Question 42: What is $ 2500 \div (250 \times 2) + 350$?

Solution:

\[ 2500 \div (250 \times 2) + 350 = 2500 \div 500 + 350 = 5 + 350 = 355 \]

Question 43: Solve $ (600 - 150) \times (30 + 5) \div 15$.

Solution:

\[ (600 - 150) \times (30 + 5) \div 15 = 450 \times 35 \div 15 = 15750 \div 15 = 1050 \]

Question 44: Evaluate $ 3000 \div (300 \times 6) + 400$.

Solution:

\[ 3000 \div (300 \times 6) + 400 = 3000 \div 1800 + 400 = 1.\overline{6} + 400 = 401.\overline{6} \]

Question 45: What is $ (500 + 250) \times (100 \div 25)$?

Solution:

\[ (500 + 250) \times (100 \div 25) = 750 \times 4 = 3000 \]

Question 46: Calculate $ (800 - 200) \times (50 + 10) \div 10$.

Solution:

\[ (800 - 200) \times (50 + 10) \div 10 = 600 \times 60 \div 10 = 36000 \div 10 = 3600 \]

Question 47: What is $ 4000 \div (400 \times 5) + 500$?

Solution:

\[ 4000 \div (400 \times 5) + 500 = 4000 \div 2000 + 500 = 2 + 500 = 502 \]

Question 48: Solve $ (900 - 300) \times (40 + 10) \div 20$.

Solution:

\[ (900 - 300) \times (40 + 10) \div 20 = 600 \times 50 \div 20 = 30000 \div 20 = 1500 \]

Question 49: Evaluate $ 5000 \div (500 \times 10) + 600$.

Solution:

\[ 5000 \div (500 \times 10) + 600 = 5000 \div 5000 + 600 = 1 + 600 = 601 \]

Question 50: What is $ (1000 + 500) \times (60 \div 15)$?

Solution:

\[ (1000 + 500) \times (60 \div 15) = 1500 \times 4 = 6000 \]

Word Problems Involving Calculator Activities & BODMAS

Problem 1: Calculating Total Expenses

John buys 5 notebooks at \$3 each and 4 pens at \$2 each. How much does he spend in total?

Solution:

Calculate the total cost of notebooks and pens separately, then add them:

\[ (5 \times 3) + (4 \times 2) = 15 + 8 = 23 \text{ dollars} \]

John spends \$23 in total.

Problem 2: Evaluating Expressions

Solve the following expression using a calculator: $ 10 + 2 \times (8 - 3)^2$.

Solution:

Apply BODMAS:

\[ 10 + 2 \times (5)^2 = 10 + 2 \times 25 = 10 + 50 = 60 \]

The result is 60.

Problem 3: Using Brackets

Evaluate $ (20 - 5) \times (3 + 2)$ using a calculator.

Solution:

Calculate the expressions inside the brackets first:

\[ (15) \times (5) = 75 \]

The result is 75.

Problem 4: Order of Operations

Find the value of $ 100 \div (10 - 2) + 5 \times 3$.

Solution:

Apply BODMAS:

\[ 100 \div 8 + 15 = 12.5 + 15 = 27.5 \]

The value is 27.5.

Problem 5: Complex Calculation

Solve $ (50 + 25) \times (6 - 1) \div 5$ using a calculator.

Solution:

Follow BODMAS:

\[ 75 \times 5 \div 5 = 375 \div 5 = 75 \]

The solution is 75.

Calculator Activities & BODMAS:

  •  Calculator Fun (Josie Bell) PDF
  •  Bracket Calculations (Jo Szyndler) DOC
  •  Brackets Worksheet (Laura Jones) DOC
  •  Calculations with Brackets (Louise Whitby) 
  •  BODMAS (Brackets) (Suzanne Coxon) 
  •  BODMAS (Rob Smith) DOC
  • Division with calculator (Timothy Holt)
    Sheet 1 PDF Blank Sheet PDF
  • Multiplication with calculator (Timothy Holt)
    Sheet 1 PDF Blank Sheet PDF
  •  Calculator Maths (Basic questionsPDF
  •  Bracket Problems (Timothy Holt) PDF
  •  Calculator Skills: Money (Vicky Frampton) DOC
  •  Missing Numbers (BODMAS) (Richard Queripel) DOC
  •  Brackets (Andy Cork) DOC
  •  Broken Calculator Tasks (Laura Murias) MS Powerpoint
  •  Order of Operations (Charlene Simons) DOC
  •  Calculator Word Problems 1 (Sarah O’Sullivan) MS Powerpoint
  •  Calculator Word Problems 2 (Sarah O’Sullivan) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 1 (Final Answer) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 2 (The Golden Prediction) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 3 (The Secret of 73) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 4 (Lucky 7 or Unlucky 13) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 5 (The 421 Loop) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 6 (The 6174 Loop) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 7 (The Answer is Always 37) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  • Calculator Tricks 8 (1089) (Brian Carruthers) MS Powerpoint
  •  Calculator (Word) Problems (Natalie Patrick) DOC
  •  Calculator Words ( C) (Tom Watt) DOC
  •  Upside Down Calculator Story (Richard Lawton) DOC
  •  Calculator Challenges (Paul Cogan) DOC
  • Pyramid Patterns (Gwyneth Pocock) DOC