Re: [Math4u] Re: 26 - 14 : 2 x 3 + 4² = ?

Vinaire <vinaire@yahoo.com> wrote:
> (..)
> For example, 84 + 97 - 87 is much easier to execute with subtraction
> first, compared to left to right rule.
> Similarly, 42 x 46 / 23 is much easier to execute with division first.
>
> Vinaire
>

Uhm yeah, and 54 + 46 - 37 is easier with addition first. Nice examples,
but they've been specifically constructed to work out nicely (97-87 = 10,
a round number, 46/23 = 2, also a round number). I agree "substraction
first" will keep numbers smaller and might therefore be somewhat easier
in practice (unless working with negative numbers...), but the question
was about the precedence of operators, not tricks to make mental math a
little easier. (Note that I called the trick "pointless" (which might've
been an overly harsh conclusion), I *didn't* call it "wrong".)

Grtz,
Rob

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