48÷2(9+3) = ?

[Dust in the Wind]

Thank you

[Dust in the Wind]

I would say this is one of the reasons they would not let us use calculators in mathamatics when I was in school. There is a difference between mathamatitions and keyboard artists (Google, Microsoft, HP, GNU, etc.). LOL

[Cvengr]

Concur.

It appears one is programmed giving precedence to multiplication, division, addition, then subtraction. The parentheses simply offer either a distributive calculation or prior subtotal calculation.

If the intent is to divide by the denominator, then the entire denominator should be in parentheses. Otherwise the parenthetical quantity is shown in the numerator.

[rdb3]

The backslash is another way to write a division sign just as a * is used instead of x for multiplication.

Here are two points of clarification for the names of certain symbols germane to this discussion:

\ - reverse solidus or backslash (NOT division)
/ - solidus, virgule or slash (division)
* - star, splat, asterisk or glob (multiplication)

All of these and so much more at Second Amendment Advocate Eric Raymond's famous Jargon File.

A courtesy ping to rdb3 since he likes all this obscure geek stuff and as fellow Linux user encounters the slash quite often as the directory separator -- not like what they use on that other "operating" system. :-)

Yes I do!

If you can't appreciate the pure beauty of the violin after hearing this, something's wrong with your ears.

[RBranha]

There is a definite difference. Computers require a more rigid set of rules for solving expressions than humans do, even for mathematics. However, it isn’t a question of which discipline is more rigid or precise. It’s a matter of defining the semantics of the mathematical grammar. In the 48/2(9+3) expression, if the implicit multiplication is given higher precedence than the parentheses, the answer is obviously much different than if implicit and explicit multiplication have the same precedence. Many, if not most, computer scientists and engineers have given equal weight to implicit and explicit multiplication (PEMDAS) and this has probably influenced mathematicians and textbook writers. The notable exception is TI, and even they have now changed their algorithm.

[spunkets]

"Many, if not most, computer scientists and engineers have given equal weight to implicit and explicit multiplication (PEMDAS) and this has probably influenced mathematicians and textbook writers."

It's the other way around; the mathematicians were the influence. Arithmatic multiplication has a precise and singular definition, regardless of whether it's explicit, or implied.

[CAluvdubya]

Thanks for the clarification...I always thought it was called backslash and the other one a fore-ward slashHope I can remember :)

[CAluvdubya]

Following your link, when you type the equation in their “Enter Problem” box 48/2(9+3) gave 288, with the solution being 48 over 2 first (24) then multiplied by 9+3 (12). So, it appears my answer of 2 before, is incorrect and should be 288. That’s using your quoted site.

LOLOL....that's perfect!

[re_nortex]

Thanks for the clarification...I always thought it was called backslash and the other one a fore-ward slashHope I can remember :)

My mnemonic for distinguishing between the two is think of the slash glyph as a stick figure. The one about to fall on his face is forward and the one ready to fall his behind is the backslash. Or we can put on airs and astound folks with our erudition, referring to them as virgules, eh? :-)

Other esoteric and more conventional terms for characters are:

# - octothorpe (hash)
^ - circumflex (caret)
` - grave accent (backtick)

The ASCII character set packed a lot of information into the sparse 7 bits it had available.

[Bikkuri]

=

(48/2) * 48/(9+3) =???????

WTF?! o.O

Anyway,, I’ve given up trying to explain... It’s been explained MANY times by many peeps here, including myself...

Take care and have a nice day :)

Bikk

[Bikkuri]

“In the original problem [ 48/2*(9+3) ] That is not the problem; it is 48/2(9+3)” It *is* the same problem. 48/2(9+3) = 48/2*(9+3)

THANK you! I thought I had tried to explain the same thing to "2" peeps.. Your explanation is much better than mine ... I give up trying to point it out.


Starting to wonder if programming screwed with the way I view math :p

Bikk

[Bikkuri]

sweet ;)

[Bikkuri]

lol... long time no see FRiend :D
Hope all is well ;)
Bikk

[Bikkuri]

I think I would be entertained to see this put on DailyKOS or DU..

Here we have disagreements, but are ‘trying’ to work it out..

I wonder what the confusion would be like over there.. (scenes from a horror movie) ;)

Bikk

[Bikkuri]

Ditto

[Bikkuri]

And “how old are you”... wait... hmm.. How old are those rules?

Thank you!!! And anyone asking about age (maturity) is about the same as asking race (race-bate)..

I feel so much better with the original rules backing me :)

BUT, I give up on explaining them... some just don’t listen (maybe age IS a factor)... but being that this appears to be a more sociable crowd than say, Religion or ‘Civil’ war threads... I spent my time having a conversation :)

Take care and stay safe :)

Bikk

[Bikkuri]

[Bikkuri]

OK.. look at it this way.. the computer does NOT have a “÷” key, so it is replaced by the “/” key..
the “/” key written in here does NOT make it a fraction...

[Bikkuri]

You forgot C++, Cobold, Fortran,
Pascal, Turbo Pascal. etc ;)

Bikk

[Bikkuri]

BTW.. is there a ping list I can be added to? Good brain exercise... I need it since I am even forgetting my native tongue (American English)... ;)