• cecilkorik@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    31
    ·
    2 days ago

    Parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction.

    should actually be

    Parenthesis, exponents, (multiplication and division), (addition and subtraction).

    Addition and subtraction are given the same priority, and are done in the same step, from left to right.

    It’s not a great system of notation, it could be made far clearer (and parenthesis allow you to make it as clear as you like), but it’s essentially the universal standard now and it’s what we’re stuck with.

    • iglou@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      2 days ago

      No, it should simply be “Parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, addition.”

      A division is defined as a multiplication, and a substraction is defined as an addition.

      I am so confused everytime I see people arguing about this, as this is basic real number arithmetics that every kid in my country learns at 12 yo, when moving on from the simplified version you learn in elementary school.

      • 13igTyme@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        2 days ago

        You want PEMA with knowledge of what is defined, when people can’t even understand PEMDAS. You wish for too much.

        • Cethin@lemmy.zip
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          4
          ·
          2 days ago

          I hate most math eduction because it’s all about memorizing formulas and rules, and then memorizing exceptions. The user above’s system is easier to learn, because there’s no exceptions or weirdness. You just learn the rule that division is multiplication and subtraction is addition. They’re just written in a different notation. It’s simpler, not more difficult. It just requires being educated on it. Yes, it’s harder if you weren’t obviously, as is everything you weren’t educated on.

          • Mistic@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            4
            arrow-down
            2
            ·
            edit-2
            18 hours ago

            That’s because (strictly speaking) they aren’t teaching math. They’re teaching “tricks” to solve equations easier, which can lead to more confusion.

            Like the PEMDAS thing that’s being discussed here. There’s no such thing as “order of operations” in math, but it’s easier to teach by assuming that there is.

            Edit: To the people downvoting: I want to hear your opinions. Do you think I’m wrong? If so, why?

        • iglou@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          2 days ago

          I’m just confused as to how that is not common knowledge. The country I speak of is France, and we’re not exactly known for our excellent maths education.