When working on math problems with different steps, it's important for Year 7 students to remember BIDMAS/BODMAS. This stands for:

• Brackets
• Indices (or powers)
• Division and Multiplication (left to right)
• Addition and Subtraction (left to right)

Here’s a simple guide to help you use this strategy:

Easy Steps to Follow:

1. Find the Operations:
   Start by looking at your math problem. Spot all the operations involved. For example, in the problem $3 + 5 \times (2^3 - 1)$, you can see addition, multiplication, and brackets.

2. Work with Brackets First:
   Always solve the operations inside the brackets first. In our example, figure out $2^3 - 1$ first. That equals $7 - 1 = 6$.

3. Handle Indices:
   If there are any indices (like $2^3$), deal with those right after solving the brackets but before doing multiplication or addition.

4. Do Division and Multiplication:
   Next, do any division or multiplication from left to right. So, after simplifying the brackets, you would calculate $5 \times 6 = 30$.

5. Finish with Addition and Subtraction:
   Finally, do any addition or subtraction, also from left to right. Take your previous result and add $3$: $3 + 30 = 33$.

Practice Makes Better:

To really get good at this, practice with different problems. Write out more complicated expressions and break them down using the BIDMAS/BODMAS rules.

Use Visual Help:

Think about using colorful charts or posters that show the BIDMAS/BODMAS rules. These visuals can help you remember the order of operations.

Keep Your Work Organized:

As you simplify expressions, write down each step clearly. This will help you avoid mistakes and make it easy to check your work later.

Using these steps, you’ll become more confident in your math skills and find it easier to solve problems. Happy calculating!