When students in Year 7 start using the order of operations (BODMAS/BIDMAS), they sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common problems to look out for:

1. Skipping the Order: Some students just start calculating from left to right. But that’s not the right way! Remember this order:

   • First, do Brackets
   • Then Orders (like squares or cubes)
   • Next, do Division and Multiplication (from left to right)
   • Finally, do Addition and Subtraction (also from left to right)

2. Forgetting Brackets: Brackets are super important! They can change the answer. For example, in the math problem $3 + 4 \times 2$, if you don’t do $4 \times 2$ first, you won’t get the right answer. Make sure to use brackets correctly!

3. Missing Negative Signs: Watch out for negative numbers! If you forget about a negative number when you’re multiplying or dividing, it can really mess up your answer.

4. Hurrying Through: Take your time! Always check your work. Even a tiny mistake can lead to a wrong answer.

By avoiding these common mistakes and remembering the order, your math calculations will be much easier!