The expression below is worked out in two ways: (i) by BODMAS and (ii) strictly from left to right, in the order in which the operations are written. By how much does the value in (ii) exceed the value in (i)?
40 ÷ 5 + 3 × 6 – 2
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 40
By BODMAS, ÷ and × are done before + and –. Left to right, each sign acts on the result so far and the next number.
(i) BODMAS: \(40\div5=8\) and \(3\times6=18\), so the value is \(8+18-2=24\)
(ii) Left to right: \(40\div5=8\), \(8+3=11\), \(11\times6=66\), \(66-2=64\)
Difference \(=64-24=40\)