[HM] Re: The order of operations

Nxawe, M, Mthunzi (mn@education.uct.ac.za)
Mon, 9 Nov 1998 12:08:18 SAST-2

Hi to all members

I need some references (historical ) on the convention of the order of basic
operations (+, -, etc). I was teaching Grade 4s and this was the
problem: 2x3 + 4x5.

The boy in the class argued that you do it as follows:
(2x3x5) + 4. Where you first multiply and then add.

The girl was saying: (2x3)+(4x5).