Mathematical Operations (Cambridge O Level Maths)

What mathematical symbols do I need to know?

• Starting with the basic four operations

  Addition, plus, sum, total

  Subtraction, minus, difference, take away

Multiplication, product, times

Division, quotient, divide, share

• Equals signs

Equal to e.g.

Not equal to e.g.

Approximately equal to e.g. 

Identical to e.g. 

• Inequality signs

Greater than e.g. 

Less than 

Greater than or equal to 

Less than or equal to

• Other helpful symbols

  Brackets: used to group symbols e.g.

   Powers (also called indices, order or exponents): repeated multiplication of the base number

   e.g.

Square root: opposite of squaring e.g.  

   Plus Minus: Used to allow for two distinct answers, often in quadratics

is shorthand for and 

   e.g. leading to  and  

   Pi: the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter

What is the order of operations (BIDMAS/BODMAS)?

• If there are multiple operations then they must be done in the following order:
• Brackets: ( )
• Perform the calculation(s) inside any brackets first
• Indices or Order: ˄, ², ³, √, etc
• These include powers, roots, reciprocals
• Divisions or Multiplications: × or ÷
• If there are more than one of these then work them out left to right
• Additions or Subtractions: + or -
• If there are more than one of these then work them out left to right
• The acronyms BIDMAS and BODMAS can help you remember

What do I do if the calculation involves fractions, powers or roots?

• For fractions there are invisible brackets around the numerator and around the denominator
•  means (2+5)÷ (7-2)
• Instead of using brackets we extend the fraction line to show exactly what is on the top and what is on the bottom
• For powers there are invisible brackets around the power
•  means 4^(3+1)
• Instead of using brackets we write the whole to the right of the number and raised
• For roots there are invisible brackets under the root
•  means √(9+16)
• Instead of using brackets we extend the line on the root symbol to show exactly what is being rooted