Definition
BODMAS is an acronym that defines the standard order of operations in mathematics: Brackets, Orders (powers and roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. It tells you which calculation to perform first when solving a mathematical expression with multiple operations. In the United States, the equivalent acronym is PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction).
Why It Matters
BODMAS is the grammar of mathematics. Without it, the expression 8 ÷ 2(2+2) could equal 1 or 16 depending on interpretation—and the internet has spent decades arguing about exactly that. The acronym became a meme in the 2010s when viral math problems sparked endless debates on Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook. “Wait, it’s PEMDAS? Always has been.” The meme format perfectly captures the confusion and tribalism of online math culture.
Example
Consider the expression: 6 + 2 × 3. Without BODMAS, you might add 6 and 2 first, getting 24. But with BODMAS, multiplication comes before addition, so 2 × 3 = 6, then 6 + 6 = 12. The correct answer is 12. Post this online, and watch hundreds of people explain why you are wrong—regardless of what you answered.
LMAAIFY Angle
BODMAS is the math equivalent of a Rorschach test. It reveals not how smart you are, but whether you were taught PEMDAS or BODMAS, and whether you believe in implied multiplication. The internet fights over this because humans need to feel right about trivial things. The meme is not about math; it is about identity dressed up as arithmetic.
Related Terms
PEMDAS, Order of Operations, Mathematics, Viral Math Problems, Internet Memes, Arithmetic, Algebra, Always Has Been Meme.