SSC BODMAS and Approximation Questions with Answers and Tricks

BODMAS and approximation questions are the base of simplification in SSC maths. They test your accuracy in the order of operations and your speed in estimating answers. One wrong step in the order can change the whole answer, so a clear rule and regular practice are important. This practice paper gives you 21 questions with answers and short solutions.

Practice Paper at a Glance

What Is BODMAS? Basic Concept in Simple Words

BODMAS tells you the order in which to do operations in an expression:

1. Brackets (first the innermost bracket)
2. Orders (powers and roots)
3. Division and Multiplication (from left to right)
4. Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

Approximation means finding a value that is close to the exact answer by rounding the numbers to simple values.

Rules and Shortcut Tricks

• Division and multiplication have the same priority, so solve them from left to right. The same applies to addition and subtraction.
• Remove brackets in the order: ( ), then { }, then [ ].
• Approximation: round each number to the nearest easy value (49.98 is about 50, 399 is about 400) and then calculate.
• Use percentage-fraction values: 25% = 1/4, 12.5% = 1/8, 33.33% = 1/3.
• Use (a + b)^2 - (a - b)^2 = 4ab to save time.
• In approximation questions, the options are usually far apart, so a rough answer is enough.

Set 1: BODMAS Questions (Q1–Q7)

Q1. Simplify: 8 + 12 / 4 x 3 - 5.
Answer: 12
Solution: 12 / 4 = 3, 3 x 3 = 9, so 8 + 9 - 5 = 12.

Q2. Simplify: 20 - 5 x 2 + 6 / 3.
Answer: 12
Solution: 20 - 10 + 2 = 12.

Q3. Simplify: (15 + 5) x 3 - 40 / 8.
Answer: 55
Solution: 20 x 3 = 60 and 40 / 8 = 5, so 60 - 5 = 55.

Q4. Simplify: 36 / 6 x 2 + 4^2 - 10.
Answer: 18
Solution: 36 / 6 = 6, 6 x 2 = 12, 4^2 = 16, so 12 + 16 - 10 = 18.

Q5. Simplify: 100 - [20 + (15 - 5 x 2)].
Answer: 75
Solution: 5 x 2 = 10, 15 - 10 = 5, 20 + 5 = 25 and 100 - 25 = 75.

Q6. Simplify: 18 / (3 + 3) x 2.
Answer: 6
Solution: 18 / 6 = 3 and 3 x 2 = 6.

Q7. Simplify: 7 + 7 x 7 - 7 / 7.
Answer: 55
Solution: 7 + 49 - 1 = 55.

Set 2: Approximation Questions (Q8–Q14)

Q8. Find the approximate value of 49.98 x 10.02.
Answer: 500
Trick: About 50 x 10 = 500.

Q9. Find the approximate value of 399 / 19.9.
Answer: 20
Solution: About 400 / 20 = 20.

Q10. Find the approximate value of (15.05)^2.
Answer: 225
Solution: About 15^2 = 225.

Q11. Find the approximate value of the square root of 99.8.
Answer: 10
Solution: About the square root of 100 = 10.

Q12. Find the approximate value of 25.2% of 799.
Answer: 200
Solution: About 25% of 800 = 200.

Q13. Find the approximate value of 7.98 x 12.01 + (3.02)^2.
Answer: 105
Solution: About 8 x 12 + 9 = 96 + 9 = 105.

Q14. Find the approximate value of 1/3 of 899 + 1/5 of 501.
Answer: 400
Solution: About 300 + 100 = 400.

Set 3: Mixed Questions (Q15–Q21)

Q15. Simplify: (0.5)^2 + (0.3)^2.
Answer: 0.34
Solution: 0.25 + 0.09 = 0.34.

Q16. Simplify: 3/4 + 2/3 - 5/6.
Answer: 7/12
Solution: 9/12 + 8/12 - 10/12 = 7/12.

Q17. Find the value of 12.5% of 480 + 25% of 240.
Answer: 120
Solution: 60 + 60 = 120.

Q18. Simplify: (12 + 8)^2 - (12 - 8)^2.
Answer: 384
Trick: 4ab = 4 x 12 x 8 = 384.

Q19. Simplify: 5 + 5 x 5 / 5 - 5.
Answer: 5
Solution: 5 x 5 / 5 = 5, so 5 + 5 - 5 = 5.

Q20. Simplify: 144 / 12 x 3 - 2^2 + 16 / 4.
Answer: 36
Solution: 12 x 3 = 36, 36 - 4 + 4 = 36.

Q21. Simplify: the square root of 1296 / 6 + 15.
Answer: 21
Solution: 36 / 6 + 15 = 6 + 15 = 21.

Worked Example: Solving Step by Step

Take the expression 24 / 4 x 3 + 2^3 - 5. Powers first: 2^3 = 8. Then division and multiplication from left to right: 24 / 4 = 6 and 6 x 3 = 18. Finally addition and subtraction from left to right: 18 + 8 - 5 = 21. A common mistake is to multiply 4 x 3 first, which gives 24 / 12 = 2 and a wrong answer. Always write each step on a new line in your rough work so that you can find any slip quickly. In approximation questions, first round the numbers, then apply the same rule, and finally choose the option that is closest to your answer.

Common Mistakes in BODMAS and Approximation

• Doing addition before multiplication or division.
• Solving multiplication before division when division comes first from the left.
• Making sign errors while removing brackets.
• Rounding the numbers too much in approximation, which changes the answer.
• Forgetting to square or take the root before other operations.
• Not following left to right order for equal priority operations.

How to Practice These 21 Questions

1. Write BODMAS at the top of your rough work.
2. Solve 15 simplification questions daily.
3. Learn the fraction-percentage values by heart.
4. Practise approximation with a timer of 30 seconds per question.
5. Revise the mistakes after one day.

Related Topics to Study Next

• SSC Simplification Questions
• Fractions and Decimals Questions
• Surds and Indices Questions
• SSC Percentage Questions with Shortcut Tricks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BODMAS?

BODMAS is the rule for the order of operations: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction.

Which is solved first: division or multiplication?

They have equal priority. Solve them from left to right.

What is the difference between BODMAS and PEMDAS?

They are the same rule. PEMDAS is used in the US and BODMAS in India and the UK.

What is approximation in maths?

It is finding a value close to the exact answer by rounding the numbers to simple values.

How do I solve approximation questions quickly?

Round each number to the nearest simple value, calculate and match the answer with the closest option.

How do I remove brackets correctly?

Start with the innermost bracket and move outward: ( ) first, then { } and then [ ].

Should I use the calculator in simplification questions?

No. A calculator is not allowed in the exam, so practise mental maths.

How many simplification questions come in SSC exams?

Usually two to four questions come from simplification and approximation in CHSL, MTS and other exams.

What are useful fraction values for approximation?

1/2 = 50%, 1/3 = 33.33%, 1/4 = 25%, 1/5 = 20%, 1/8 = 12.5% and 1/10 = 10%.

What is the formula (a + b)^2 - (a - b)^2?

It equals 4ab, which saves calculation time.

Is approximation asked in SSC CGL?

Approximation is more common in banking exams, but simplification and approximation concepts also help in SSC maths.

How should I prepare BODMAS and approximation?

Learn the rule, practise daily simplification sets and improve your speed with a timer.