General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 8/2(2+2) what do you come up with? [View all]KY_EnviroGuy
(14,498 posts)since the 60s when I had basic math, algebra and calculus. I solved the equation instinctively just as I would have in 1965, LOL.
In those days, we had no computers, calculators (that we could afford), smart devices or internet.
Some might see the OP format as potentially causing errors and prefer it be written (2+2)8/2 = 16, or we might have written it as 8/2 x (2+2) = 16 or for the other instance, 8/2 x 1/(2+2) = 1.
That points out the various profession's use of the multiply operand, whether to use "x" or "*" or "." (dot or asterisk vertically centered). In engineering we used the dot most times when everything was hand-written.
I didn't get to participate much in the "new math" my kids had because I was out traveling to pay the bills. I missed out on a lot in those days.......
Thanks for the interesting OP......