New Math vs. Old Math (Page 8): I have no problem with 2(a+b). I have a problem with 8/2(a+b). I know PEMDAS gives some sense of order here but not everyone knows PEMDAS so I don't...

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Longshadow wrote:

Rules... Different definitions only exist when the... (show quote)

I have no problem with 2(a+b).

I have a problem with 8/2(a+b).

I know PEMDAS gives some sense of order here but not everyone knows PEMDAS so I don't know the intent of the original writer.

I think I will side with Excel, which, when presented with the original equation asks for clarification: "Do you accept this interpretation?". That would be my answer.

Maybe we should replace PEMDAS with EXCEL. More people seem to be familiar with EXCEL than PEMDAS.

Dannj

DirtFarmer wrote:

I have no problem with 2(a+b).

I have a problem with 8/2(a+b).

I know PEMDAS gives some sense of order here but not everyone knows PEMDAS so I don't know the intent of the original writer.

I think I will side with Excel, which, when presented with the original equation asks for clarification: "Do you accept this interpretation?". That would be my answer.

Maybe we should replace PEMDAS with EXCEL. More people seem to be familiar with EXCEL than PEMDAS.

Or find out which algorithm EXCEL uses😳

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

DirtFarmer wrote:

I have no problem with 2(a+b).

I have a problem with 8/2(a+b).

I know PEMDAS gives some sense of order here but not everyone knows PEMDAS so I don't know the intent of the original writer.

I think I will side with Excel, which, when presented with the original equation asks for clarification: "Do you accept this interpretation?". That would be my answer.

Maybe we should replace PEMDAS with EXCEL. More people seem to be familiar with EXCEL than PEMDAS.

Clear to me.

PEMDAS, the base rules, works with a pencil and the mind, no computer required.

But somehow it has to get entered into the computer properly,
that's where PEMDAS comes into play.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Longshadow wrote:

...But somehow it has to get entered into the computer properly...

That's what I'm saying.

Dannj

For what it’s worth, when entering 8/2*4, (the parens can’t be entered) both my iPhone calculator and my $4.99 solar powered Staple’s calculator agree on 16.
I originally thought it was 1 but I’ve been convinced otherwise. 😊

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

DirtFarmer wrote:

That's what I'm saying.

In doing so, one has to know the transcription rules, PEMDAS.

How may that don't know PEMDAS use formulas that require its use???

Wmetcalf Loc: Rogersville, Mo

16

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

MrBob wrote:

We seem to have a lot of Old Timers around these parts so I would expect PEMDAS to prevail... Very simple equation that everyone seems to disagree on.... I know the REAL answer but I am not a spoiler. Can we get it in 1 page ?

8/2(2+2)= ?

1

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

papakatz45 wrote:

1

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I was taught tomwork inside out. In that case, answer is 1.

If outside in, answer is 16.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

16 ... PAMDAS

bcplimpton Loc: Southern New Jersey

The part of PEMDAS that so many people forget id the closing phrase "as they occur from left to right." So, P implies that we do 2+2 first leaving 8/2(4). Then M and D being the same operation and applying the "as they occur ..." we get 8/2 = 4 and have 4(4)=16. The other problem people have is they think that addition and subtraction and multiplication and division are different. e.g. 8/2 = 8(1/2) so the original problem could be written as 8(1/2)(2+2)=? and there would be no confusion And the mnemonic could be Please Excuse My Aunt just in case her name wasn't Sally and she wasn't a dear.

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

1

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

16

bcplimpton Loc: Southern New Jersey

For 8/2(2+2) to =1 it would need to be written 8/(2(2+2)) to indicate that the denominator of the fraction is an expression. In reality it would be written as

8
______

2(2+2)