Re: RE : Re: [Math4u] Math persons

The answer is, yes, they are equal. The simple rule is that *in an
arithmetic context*, two terms adjacent to each other mean multiplication.

Please note that this is not always the case when we leave that context.
Notation can be tricky. For instance,

2(a+b) will be equal to 2*(a+b)
But
f(a+b) will, as a rule, mean function f of a+b, which is
something different.

That is why Mathematica uses square brackets for functions, and
parentheses for grouping. A computer is not smart enough to always
understand context. Human readers and writers of Mathematics, however,
usually know what they are talking about, or ought to.

Michael

Brian E. Jensen wrote:
> I just had a thought.
> 16/2*a =8a by math convention.
> But what happens if we leave out the multiplication sign
> 16/2a
> Now maybe it's wrong, but there is a tendency in my mind to think of 2a as a
> term or entity and come up with 16/2a=8/a
> So maybe leaving out the multiplication sign was done on purpose to trick
> our subconscious. I'm not so sure what the correct answer is when a sign is
> omitted.
>
> Does 16/2*a equal 16/2a ?
> Does anyone know the rule or how to handle when the multiplication sign is
> left out?
>
> Regards,
> Brian
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mario Marotti" <mmar62@hotmail.com>
> To: <math4u@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 2:38 PM
> Subject: RE: RE : Re: [Math4u] Math persons
>
>
>
>
> 16 / 2 [8 – 3 (4 – 2)] + 1
> = 16 / 2 [8 – 3 (2)] +1
> = 16 / 2 [8 – 6] +1
> = 16 / 2 [ ] + 1
> = 16 / 4 +1
> = 4 + 1
> = 5
>
> Hello!
> This is my first message in the group.
> I think the ambiguity occurs when a fraction is written like 16/2 instead of
> using the horizontal ___ quotient line.
>
> Writing
>
> 16
> __
>
> 2
>
> instead of (16/2), you have no problem at all.
>
> Best regards
> Mario
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