BODMAS and mental maths
Follow the order: brackets, orders (powers and roots), division and multiplication, addition and subtraction. For speed, memorise squares up to 30, cubes up to 15 and common fraction-percentage pairs.
Worked example
Simplify 15 × 12 − 8² + 100 ÷ 4. Multiply: 180. Square: 64. Divide: 25. Result = 180 − 64 + 25 = 141.
Approximation
In many banking papers you only need a close answer. Round numbers sensibly and calculate; compare with the options. This often takes a third of the time.
Related practice
Back it up with squares, cubes and roots. Banking aspirants will see this in the banking quantitative section.
