BODMAS in VR or not BODMAS?
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Bucks VR: BODMAS/BIDMAS IN or OUT?
Expert advice sought.
I have come across a question which states:
"A = 5, B = 7, C = 8, D = 14 and E = 48
What is the answer to this sum written as a letter?
E + C – B / B = (?)"
What would the answer be? The question book states "B" but if you apply BODMAS then its clearly not B. Does Buckinghamshire Verbal Reasoning Papers assume no BODMAS (order of calculation Brackets, Of, Divide, Multiply, Add, Subtract), thus just calculate left to right?
Thanks
N.B. 11 Plus Maths for NFER does apply BODMAS.
I have come across a question which states:
"A = 5, B = 7, C = 8, D = 14 and E = 48
What is the answer to this sum written as a letter?
E + C – B / B = (?)"
What would the answer be? The question book states "B" but if you apply BODMAS then its clearly not B. Does Buckinghamshire Verbal Reasoning Papers assume no BODMAS (order of calculation Brackets, Of, Divide, Multiply, Add, Subtract), thus just calculate left to right?
Thanks
N.B. 11 Plus Maths for NFER does apply BODMAS.
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- Site Admin
- Posts: 1188
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Hi G55,
This is exactly what I stated, however I was advised that Bucks VR, for children of this age, promotes Left to Right rather than BiDMAS, yet bizarrely the 11 Plus Maths Papers in other counties assumes BiDMAS knowledge.
A Bucks tutor I spoke to with regard to this was like you and I insistent that brackets are necessary. However the expert author is sure of her position with respect to Bucks VR papers.
Hence my request for other experts to join the debate.
I have been known to pop-in and pop-out here there and everywhere!?
Regards,
ForumAdmin
HeWhoMustNotBeNamedButHas
This is exactly what I stated, however I was advised that Bucks VR, for children of this age, promotes Left to Right rather than BiDMAS, yet bizarrely the 11 Plus Maths Papers in other counties assumes BiDMAS knowledge.
A Bucks tutor I spoke to with regard to this was like you and I insistent that brackets are necessary. However the expert author is sure of her position with respect to Bucks VR papers.
Hence my request for other experts to join the debate.
I have been known to pop-in and pop-out here there and everywhere!?
Regards,
ForumAdmin
HeWhoMustNotBeNamedButHas
Hi
In our experience all 11+ Verbal Reasoning Questions that follow the NFER format can be worked out from left to right and BODMAS is not an issue.
E + C - B / B
Would not therefore be a NFER format question, unless someone can find such a question in the NFER practice papers, familiarization packs or actual tests.
The author of this question, I believe, has not standardised it to NFER format, just hope it isn´t one of our questions!!!!!
Regards
Mike
In our experience all 11+ Verbal Reasoning Questions that follow the NFER format can be worked out from left to right and BODMAS is not an issue.
E + C - B / B
Would not therefore be a NFER format question, unless someone can find such a question in the NFER practice papers, familiarization packs or actual tests.
The author of this question, I believe, has not standardised it to NFER format, just hope it isn´t one of our questions!!!!!
Regards
Mike
Hi
Brackets
Order (Indices)
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
is taught at the higher level of KS2 in the Mathematics curriculum.
However, the original posting was referring to BODMAS within the context of Verbal Reasoning papers for Bucks 11+ tests and BODMAS is not required for any of the mathematics verbal reasoning questions because the questions are written in such a way that BODMAS is irrelevant. All questions can be worked out "mathematically correct" from left to right.
Irrespective of the level of primary mathematics BODMAS should always be applied and taught correctly. There is no excuse for saying that
2 + 3 x 2 + 3 = 13 (working left to right)
when it should equal "11" when BODMAS rules are applied.
Regards
Mike
Brackets
Order (Indices)
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
is taught at the higher level of KS2 in the Mathematics curriculum.
However, the original posting was referring to BODMAS within the context of Verbal Reasoning papers for Bucks 11+ tests and BODMAS is not required for any of the mathematics verbal reasoning questions because the questions are written in such a way that BODMAS is irrelevant. All questions can be worked out "mathematically correct" from left to right.
Irrespective of the level of primary mathematics BODMAS should always be applied and taught correctly. There is no excuse for saying that
2 + 3 x 2 + 3 = 13 (working left to right)
when it should equal "11" when BODMAS rules are applied.
Regards
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Thanks for your input.
"A = 5, B = 7, C = 8, D = 14 and E = 48
What is the answer to this sum written as a letter?
E + C – B / B = (?)"
The question book states "B" but if you apply BODMAS then its clearly not B."
Therefore is the question technically wrong for Buckinghamshire, since applying BoDMAS results in a different answer?
ForumAdmin
Thanks for your input.
"A = 5, B = 7, C = 8, D = 14 and E = 48
What is the answer to this sum written as a letter?
E + C – B / B = (?)"
The question book states "B" but if you apply BODMAS then its clearly not B."
Therefore is the question technically wrong for Buckinghamshire, since applying BoDMAS results in a different answer?
ForumAdmin