this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
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[โ€“] Zoot@reddthat.com 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

Absolutely, its all seen as equal so it has to go left to right However as I said in the beginning the way I was taught atleast, is when you see 2(2+2) and not 2ร—(2+2) you assume that 2(2+2) actually means (2ร—(2+2 )) and so must do it together.

[โ€“] Vagabond@kbin.social 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Ah sorry just realized what you were saying. I've never been taught that. Maybe it's just a difference in teaching styles, but it shouldn't be since it can actually change the outcome. The way I was always taught was if you see a number butted up against an expression in parentheses you assume there is a multiplication symbol there.

So you were taught that 2(2+2) == (2(2+2))
I was taught 2(2+2)==2*(2+2)

Interesting difference though because again, assuming invisible parentheses can really change up how a problem is done.

Edit: looks like theshatterstone54's comment assumed a multiplication symbol as well.

[โ€“] SmartmanApps@programming.dev -1 points 5 months ago

if you see a number butted up against an expression in parentheses you assume there is a multiplication symbol there

No, it means it's a Term (product). If a=2 and b=3, then axb=2x3, but ab=6.

I was taught 2(2+2)==2*(2+2)

2(2+2)==(2*(2+2)). More precisely, The Distributive Law says that 2(2+2)=(2x2+2x2).

[โ€“] Zoop@beehaw.org 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

That's basically what I was taught, too.

Edit to add: Ha, I just realized how similar our usernames are. Neat! :)