[masraum]

Originally Posted by winders

The mnemonics PEMDAS, BODMAS, BEDMAS, and BIDMAS, and associated "rules" are just conventions to make writing and reading math equations possible without having to use an excessive number of parenthesis or brackets or having to explain the rules each and every time you write something down.

The problem with the simple mnemonics is that they lead to misunderstandings. Equal precedence is not inherently obvious to the layman. Even those that know about precedence can have a problem with writing clear equations. For example, what does this mean?

1/3x

Is it 1/3 of x or is it 1 divided by 3x? Many people that know the rules would write that expression when they meant to write:

(1/3)x

Even knowing the rules, people should strive for clarity in writing equations. So this equation:

56 - 24 / 3 + 12 = ?

Should be written:

56 - (24 / 3) + 12 = ?

Unless, of course, you want to post it up on Facebook and start an argument.

FYI, Noah did say that the equation was actually written as: 56 - 24 ÷ 3 + 12 =, but that he didn't know how to get the ÷ symbol, so he used the /.

Noah, just FYI, I know how to get the ÷, but I don't off of the top of my head know the number for the symbol, so to get it in my previous post, I just did a google search for division symbol and copy/pasted into my post.