Why Games Work for Math

Research consistently shows that game-based learning improves retention for procedural mathematical skills. When students are emotionally engaged — competing, strategising, problem-solving under time pressure — the brain encodes information more durably than during passive instruction or repetitive worksheet practice.

How Three Teachers Use BEDMAS

Sarah, Grade 6 Math Teacher: "I use BEDMAS as a 15-minute warm-up on Fridays. Students play individually against the Easy AI on their devices. Within three weeks I saw a measurable improvement in their ability to correctly evaluate expressions without a calculator — especially expressions mixing multiplication and addition."

Marcus, High School Pre-Calculus: "My students think they have mastered BEDMAS by Year 9. Playing on Hard mode humbles them quickly. The AI exploits every operator precedence mistake instantly. It has become a useful diagnostic tool — I can see exactly where each student's understanding breaks down just by watching them play."

Priya, Learning Support Specialist: "For students with maths anxiety, BEDMAS is non-threatening. The Hint button removes the fear of being permanently stuck, and the visual nature of the board makes abstract operations more concrete and less intimidating."

Recommended Grade Levels and Settings

• Grades 5–7: Easy mode, unlimited timer, focus on simple addition and subtraction equations. Goal: build familiarity with the game and reinforce basic arithmetic fluency.
• Grades 8–10: Medium mode, 90-second timer, encourage multiplication and division equations. Goal: develop operator precedence intuition under mild time pressure.
• Grades 11+: Hard mode, 60-second timer, brackets and complex chains. Goal: automaticity with the full BEDMAS rule set under competitive conditions.

Classroom Formats That Work Well

• Individual practice: Students each play against the AI on their own device. Works well as a warm-up or independent activity during transition time.
• Class vs. AI: One game projected at the front of the room. Students vote on each move. Works well for whole-class instruction and discussion.
• Tournament brackets: Students play head-to-head in multiplayer. Works well for end-of-unit review when students already know the game.

Getting Started

BEDMAS runs in any browser with no installation, no accounts required for student play, and no cost. Simply share the URL at bedmas.com and students can play immediately on any device with a browser. For tracked progress and leaderboard competition, encourage students to create free accounts.