Democr(ule)acy
Democr(ule)acy
16 comments
-
-
the worst order of operations thing imo is with the denominator in division, many people say that 1/4x should be read as (1/4) * x and not 1/(4x), although I think this is usually the less popular option in polls
apparently wolfram alpha does it that way, as well as most newer graphing calculators (TI switched between the ti-82 and ti-83)
-
the worst order of operations thing imo is with the denominator in division, many people say that 1/4x should be read as (1/4) * x and not 1/(4x)
Oh god yes. I have a whole thread dedicated to it with textbook screenshots, etc. at Order of operations thread index
although I think this is usually the less popular option in polls
Depends on how many adults have forgotten the rules, since that's what the poll is really tracking. Students have no issue with getting them correct (we're talking like 98% correct).
apparently wolfram alpha does it that way, as well as most newer graphing calculators (TI switched between the ti-82 and ti-83)
In both cases they're disobeying The Distributive Law, and so are demonstrably wrong
-
16 comments
It's -(3^2) that's the rule right??
Correct, or, -1 x 3^2 Joke is democracy doesn't always get it right
Yes, but more to the point it's adults who've forgotten the rules. Students don't have any issue with this. Exact same applies to all the order of operations memes floating around, like 6/2(1+2) - students have no trouble with it, it's adults who've forgotten the rules who argue about it.
No, PEMDAS.
You do the exponent first, then multiplication.
-3² = -1 * 3²
or
-3² = (-1)(3²)
(-3)² would be how you'd represent what you are interpreting it as.
Your interpretation:
-3² != (-3)² = (-1(3))² = (-1 * 3)² = 9
vs
Correct Interpretation:
-3² = -3² = (-1)(3²) = -1 * 3² = -9
EDIT:
Every time you see a - directly infront of a number, say...
-x
...and there is no space to indicate the - represents a subtraction operator, such as in...
y - x
...the immediate prefix - actually represents:
(-1)x
or
-1 * x
Due to PEMDAS, if the exponent ² or ^2 is attached to...
-x² or -x^2
... this actually represents
(-1)(x²) or -1 * x^2
... such that PEMDAS is upheld, and the exponent recieves computational primacy.
EDIT 2:
I don't make these rules, but this is how it works.
Double check in wolfram alpha if you doubt it.
There's no multiplication, just subtraction (from an unwritten 0). -3² = 0-3²
Spaces don't mean anything in Maths, and I don't know why people keep adding them in! A minus sign is a minus sign, whether there are spaces next to it or not.
No, it actually doesn't. It represents 0-x. Every operation on the number line starts from 0.
No, it actually represents 0-x²
Which what you wrote doesn't. M refers literally to Multiplication signs. S refers literally to subtraction signs. -x² is E then S in PEMDAS.
You did make those up actually (or you've repeated someone else who made them up).
No it isn't. A minus sign is the S in PEMDAS, not M.
Look in a Maths textbook. Wolfram is known to be wrong in several areas. University professors warn their students against using it without adding brackets everywhere.
Well, in my defense, that's has the uglies.
I would say it's -3 × -3.
Nope, you can't assume the - is included in the square if there's no parenthesis around it. The answer is -9. Think of it like "0-3²" which is more obviously -9.