In simplification of an expression there are certain laws which should be strictly adhered to. These laws are as follows:

‘VBODMAS’ Rule

This rule gives the correct sequence in which the mathematical operation are to be executed so as to find out the value of a given expression.

Here, ‘V’ stands for Vicnaculum (or Bar), ‘B’ stands for ‘Brcket’, ‘O’ stands for ‘Of’, ‘D’ stands for ‘Division’, ‘M’ stands for ‘Multiplication’, ‘A’ stands for ‘Addition’ and ‘S’ stand for ‘Subtraction’.

(a) Here, ‘VBODMAS’ gives the order of simplification. Thus, the order of performing the mathematical operations in a given expression are

First : Virnaculum or line bracket or bar
Second: Bracket
Third: Of
Fourth: Division
Fifth: Multiplication
Sixth: Addition &
Seventh: Subtraction

The above order should strictly be followed.

(b) There are four types of brackets.

(i) Square brackets [ ]
(ii) Curly brackets { }
(iii) Circular brackets ( )
(iv) Bar or Virnaculum –

Thus, in simplifying an expression all the brackets must be removed in the order ‘–’, ‘( )’, ‘{ }’ and ‘[ ]’.

Modulus of a Real Number

The modulus of a real number x is defined as
= x, if a > 0
|x|
= x, if a < 0