Operations and Order of Operations

This lesson covers the four arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) including working with negative numbers, and the correct order in which operations must be carried out. The Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1) specification requires fluency in these skills, which appear throughout both Foundation and Higher tiers.

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Key Vocabulary

Term	Meaning
Sum	The result of addition
Difference	The result of subtraction
Product	The result of multiplication
Quotient	The result of division
BIDMAS	Brackets, Indices, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
Integer	A whole number (positive, negative or zero)
Inverse operation	The operation that "undoes" another (e.g. subtraction undoes addition)

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The Four Operations

Addition and Subtraction of Integers

When adding or subtracting, use a number line or column method.

Column Addition Example: 4,587 + 2,946

  4587
+ 2946
------
  7533

Carry the 1 where column totals exceed 9.

Column Subtraction Example: 5,032 - 1,478

  5032
- 1478
------
  3554

Use borrowing (exchange) where needed.

Multiplication of Integers