787
I dunno
(piefed.cdn.blahaj.zone)
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this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2025
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I don't get why these kind of post crop up so often.
The answer to them doesn't matter and these aren't really math questions, because there is no context given. This is just endless discussions about different people having different assumptions on notation used there...
In real math, where the numbers mean something, good and consistent notation is important, but not necessary, because the order of operations or what those operations are exactly would be clear through the context of these formulas. Good notation just makes it easier to spot errors, work with formulas or to avoid confusion.
Here is what I would assume this formula could mean. Someone has 2 apples and 5 bags of apples that initially came with 8 apples each inside, but someone else ate 5 apples from each of these bags.
With this context it is pretty clear what the answer would be.
None needed. Obey the rules of Maths and you get the correct answer.
It's clear to anyone who knows the rules of Maths.
Those aren't 'rules of maths', because math would work with other orders of operations as well. They are conventions. Other cultures could have different conventions and it would work as well.
Yes they are 😂
There aren't any "other" orders of operations.
Nope, rules of Maths
They do have other conventions, they do not have other rules. The rules of Maths are universal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations
With math, you can invent your own notation if you like. If it makes it easier to describe certain problem. This is done often. And if it makes sense, you can also change the order of operation. You can even introduce new operations.
The notation you learn in school is just a common one, but other notations are equally valid and can be useful.
Therefore this kind of question is not a pure math question, but rather it depends on what kind of conventions or notations people want to use.
The context is what allows the math question to have a single answer. The notation is just your chosen way towards that solution and to communicate the steps to that solution to others.
The rules of math itself are much more fundamental and they don't care about how people decided to write formulas down.
isn't a Maths textbook
and rules 🙄 Haven't even got past the first sentence you quoted and it's already wrong
Rules
May disobey the rules and give wrong answers, like Texas Instruments calculators
Yep, but you cannot invent your own rules 🙄
No it isn't.
No you can't, or you get wrong answers, like Texas Instruments calculators
But the rules are universal. You seem to be confusing notation with the rules
Yes it is
We can see for ourselves quite clearly what notation they have used. There's no mystery or debate about it
The rules of Maths is what gives it a single answer - that's what they're for! 😂
Yep, one of which is The Distributive Law, a(b+c)=(ab+ac).