Yep, that's why I teach my students the Boss Triangle instead. PEMDAS is

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Apr 16, 2021
11:35:34pm

Loon to the Moon All-American

Yep, that's why I teach my students the Boss Triangle instead. PEMDAS is

problematic for multiple reasons.

Math for Grownups

The Problems with PEMDAS (and a solution) | Math for Grownups

If you’re on Facebook, you’ve probably seen one of a variety of graphics like the one above. The idea is to solve the problem and then post your answer. From what I’ve observed, about half of the respondents get the answer correct, while the other half comes to the wrong answer. The root of this problem?

https://mathforgrownups.com/the-problems-with-pemdas-and-a-solution/

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Loon to the Moon

Previous username: loonmj
Bio page: Loon to the Moon
Joined: Aug 28, 2011
Last login: May 6, 2024
Total posts: 4,987 (1,104 FO)

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Messages

Author

Time

What’s the answer: 6÷2(1+2) =

4/16/21 9:06pm

RE: What’s the answer: 6÷2(1+2) =

SpotOnOpinionsGuy

4/16/21 9:07pm

I don't do math on Friday nights.

4/16/21 9:07pm

RE: What’s the answer: 6÷2(1+2) =

Cougarrr

4/16/21 9:08pm

You did the order wrong.

TCuz

4/16/21 9:08pm

RE: You did the order wrong.

Cougarrr

4/16/21 9:10pm

Multiplication and division are the same (whichever comes first)

rggee

4/16/21 9:11pm

You do division and multiplication at the same time going left to right

Magathis

4/16/21 9:11pm

I thought you'd multiply 2 and (3) first. I've not been in a math class for

Cougarrr

4/16/21 9:11pm

Parenthesis. Then whatever comes first, division or multiplication.

TCuz

4/16/21 9:12pm

Do the parentheses, then do division and multiplication from left to right

Mike Honcho

4/16/21 9:12pm

9

TCuz

4/16/21 9:08pm

We've been over this before. It's bad notation and therefore a stupid question.

supertux

4/16/21 9:11pm

Bingo

delux_247

4/16/21 9:12pm

It should be (6/2)(1+2)

Magathis

4/16/21 9:12pm

Or 6÷2×(1+2)

benny1982

4/16/21 9:14pm

If you really want to know more read this:

supertux

4/16/21 9:13pm

TL;DR

Cougarrr

4/16/21 9:15pm

TL;DR: Expressions of the form a/bc are ambiguous. one needs to insert parentheses to show whether one means (a/b)c or

supertux

4/16/21 9:26pm

It could be clearer. But it’s to trick the dumbos that think each letter in PEMDAS is concrete

TCuz

4/16/21 9:13pm

It's just a stupid question.

supertux

4/16/21 9:14pm

Maybe for smart people. The dumbos that get it wrong don’t get it wrong for smart reasons.

TCuz

4/16/21 9:19pm

There truly is no correct answer for this problem. It is ambiguous. It's a troll question

supertux

4/16/21 9:20pm

RE: There truly is no correct answer for this problem. It is ambiguous. It's a troll question and since there are tons

Cru Jones

4/16/21 9:27pm

Sure. But anybody who gets past that, and says “hey, PEMDAS taught me multiplication has to go before division”

TCuz

4/16/21 9:28pm

I agree with you there. That link I posted even hits on how PEMDAS can be taught wrong and confuse people.

supertux

4/16/21 9:30pm

Yep, that's why I teach my students the Boss Triangle instead. PEMDAS is

Loon to the Moon

4/16/21 11:35pm

I think it’s to trick the dumbos who think the P in PEMDAS means that you first

garyfan

4/16/21 10:43pm

What is, the problem wasn't written by a mathmetician.

JAGA97

4/16/21 9:17pm

RE: What is, the problem wasn't written by a mathmetician.

supertux

4/16/21 9:18pm

This is how the notation would be interpreted in my profession. The ? is dumb

delux_247

4/16/21 9:33pm

5?

TNT

4/16/21 9:59pm

1

stenso

4/16/21 10:23pm

1 >>>>> 6/2 but you have to do the 1+2=3 first, then 2X3, then 6/6 = 1

BYU I Bleed Blue

4/16/21 10:30pm

Answer me this.. What is 6÷2a where a = 1+2? Anyone that does real math does

Fdnman

4/17/21 6:18am

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