The Language of Math - Order of Operations, Notation, and other subjects

[Talerax]

And so, as part of configuring these libraries, I came across the most damned approach. For some files, the approach works:
a+b/2+c*d => ((a+b)/2+c)*d.

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Is that...pure left-to-right? that is so cursed.

 

[Billbo baggins]

This thread is fucking hilarious

 

[Athlumney]

I see the 8/2(4) as equalling 1, but if it was 8/2*(4) I'd see it as equalling 16.
Or:

\[\frac{8}{2*4}=1\]

\[\frac{8}{2}*4=16\]

We were taught the lack of separation between the 2 and the open bracket meant it was part of the bracketed section like how exponents on the closing bracket are part of the section.
But I didn't go into Maths, merely use it in my field and our equations are built with that assumption in mind.

 

[Ketzer]

8/2*(4) I'd see it as equalling 16

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to be fair, this is true for the rest of the world. Europe, China, Russia, etc.

 

[Felius]

Let's get into a nightmare argument. I am an engineer and a bit of a Nupas Cadmaitic system administrator. It is a software for modeling welded metal structures and preparing data for machine tools. It also allows you to create and configure a library of standard solutions. And so, as part of configuring these libraries, I came across the most damned approach. For some files, the approach works:
a+b/2+c*d => ((a+b)/2+c)*d.

Spoiler: Bugaga

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What in the unholy hell is that formula?

\[ a+b\div2+c\times d\Rightarrow ((a+b)\div2+c)\times d \]

How does that even parse?!

 

[IlAg]

to be fair, this is true for the rest of the world. Europe, China, Russia, etc.

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No? In Russia division and multiplication are on the same level and we solve them left to right. It was like that when I learned in 2000s, it was like that for my teachers who learned in 1970s-1980s.
But i think that I finally understood where is the problem) Algebra is to blame! It's an arithmetic expression, but many use algebraic assumptions for it. For example 1/2x i will see as 1/(2x), BUT 4/2(1+1) for me is (4/2)*(1+1). 2(1+1) is not monomial! So is 2(2+2) is not monomial, and i will insist that 16 is still true answer! And of course there is no strict PEMDAS, only PE(M/D)(A/S)

 

[Ketzer]

No? In Russia division and multiplication are on the same level and we solve them left to right

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sorry. I blinked and answered the the wrong part of the message. Yes, we do not have priority in division. I rewrote my messages five times and got so fucked up.