Order of operations:
- Plus and minus are at the same priority level (defining minus to be
higher priority than plus is a cute hack, but since an expression such
as "1 - 2 - 3 = ??" will still require the additional "in case of same
precedence, eval from left to right"-rule, it's pretty pointless).
- Same for multiply and divide.
- In case of even the slightest possibility of doubt: just add braces,
then you are *sure* everyone understands!!
Division symbol:
- In elementary school we were first tought to use the "colon with a dash"
symbol. Then "just plain colon" was introduced as a "shorthand" for that.
Later on, in highschool we switched to using a slash. Sorry, can't link
to a website (or would you like a link to the website of my elementary
school? :p ).
- This mailing list is kinda bound to computers. Yes, there *is* a symbol
for division. However (sparing you the technical details) there are quite
severe problems with actually using it (as has been demonstrated). In the
interest of using a solution that is easy and works universally, in comp.
sci. we just use a slash for division. May I recommend everyone here also
follows that convention?
And, to give the long-awaited answer to the original formula:
(note the use of "^2" instead of "²"; another case of "easy solution that
just works")
26 - 14 : 2 x 3 + 4^2
== { exponentation }
26 - 14 : 2 x 3 + 16
== { multiply and divide, left to right, first operator encountered }
26 - 7 x 3 + 16
== { multiply and divide, left to right, second operator encountered }
26 - 21 + 16
== { add and substract, left to right, first operator encountered }
5 + 16
== { add and substract, left to right, second operator encountered }
21
Google calculator agrees with me:
http://www.google.nl/search?q=26+-+14+%2F+2+x+3+%2B+4%5E2
26 - ((14 / 2) x 3) + (4^2) = 21
(My my, what a nice coincidence, I had to change both the ":" and "²" to
"/" and "^2" respectively to make it work. Maybe this is the universally
accepted solution to a non-problem...?)
Grtz,
Rob
// If this mail sounds like I'm annoyed with this thread it's because I am
-------- Original-Nachricht --------
> Datum: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:01:24 -0000
> Von: "princecharming134" <sossi82@yahoo.com>
> An: Math4u@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: [Math4u] Re: 26 - 14 : 2 x 3 + 4² = ?
> [Brian's comment to Princecharming134: This is useful information on how
> to make the "÷" sign. However the "/" sign has a very precise meaning
> and implies nothing. OK, you treated ":" as "( )/( )" but is this right
> or are you just making up stuff? Can you quote a reputable website?]
>
> There is a division symbol available on your PC.
>
> It looks like this ÷
>
> You can copy and paste it from this post if you wish or you may click
> on "insert" then "symbols" then look for the division sign on
> Microsoft word.
>
> For those who are not aware as to how to make the division symbol,
> they have been using /. the problem is that this can imply
> either a fraction or a division sign.
>
> My previous post I treated the : as a fraction.
>
> 26 minus 14 over 2 times 3 plus 4 squared.
>
> In which case, you must complete all operations above and below the
> fraction before you can divide.
> regards,
> Princecharming134
>
>
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