$200 \div 25 \times 4 + 12 - 3 = x$

### Concept & Rule This is a direct application of the **BODMAS rule** (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction). When mathematical operators appear in a sequence, they must be resolved in this strict hierarchical order to arrive at the correct result, regardless of how they are arranged from left to right. ### Step-by-Step Solution **Given:** $$ 200 \div 25 \times 4 + 12 - 3 $$ **Calculation:** Step 1: Perform Division (D). $$ (200 \div 25) \times 4 + 12 - 3 $$ $$ 8 \times 4 + 12 - 3 $$ Step 2: Perform Multiplication (M). $$ (8 \times 4) + 12 - 3 $$ $$ 32 + 12 - 3 $$ Step 3: Perform Addition (A). $$ (32 + 12) - 3 $$ $$ 44 - 3 $$ Step 4: Perform Subtraction (S). $$ 44 - 3 = 41 $$ ### Exam Strategy & Shortcut **Chunking:** To solve this rapidly under pressure, mentally group the multiplication and division into one "chunk" and the addition/subtraction into another. Visually process $200 \div 25 \times 4$ as $\frac{200}{25} \times 4 = 8 \times 4 = 32$. Then append the simple arithmetic: $32 + 9 = 41$. You should not need paper for this question. ### Common Pitfall The most frequent error is reading left-to-right but accidentally prioritizing multiplication over division based on visual grouping. A student might incorrectly evaluate $25 \times 4 = 100$ first, and then do $200 \div 100 = 2$, resulting in a final wrong answer of $2 + 12 - 3 = 11$. Always divide before you multiply if division comes first sequentially in a chunk! ### Final Answer **Therefore, the correct answer is 41.**