[aigel]

I didn't read past the second link but nowhere do I see ambiguity what the answer to the math problem posted is. It is 60 and it will be if you ask anyone past 4th grade (apparently!) in the world. Maybe I am misunderstanding what the discussion is about here?

The second article points out some silly rules on left to right and distinguishing between addition/subtraction and multiplication/division. This should not be taught and I don't recall being taught this myself. That said, sometimes getting kids going without understanding the deeper reasons is not a big issue, it will all come together by algebra 2.

What is a big issue, and I have seen this in my kid's school, is that elementary and middle school teachers often have no clue about math and memorize the rules, passing them straight to the kids. A simple brain fart will have it all come undone as seen in the OP's example.

G