Basic question
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Dr.Peterson
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Have you learned the order of operations (operator precedence)?
The expression 3.5-1.5/3.5 means 3.5 - (1.5/3.5), not (3.5 - 1.5)/3.5.
The expression 3.5-1.5/3.5 means 3.5 - (1.5/3.5), not (3.5 - 1.5)/3.5.
Otis
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Hello w/ewew/e. These are different expressions:
\(\displaystyle 3.5 - \frac{1.5}{3.5}\)
\(\displaystyle \frac{3.5 - 1.5}{3.5}\)
In the first expression, we do the division first.
In the second expression, we do the subtraction first.
Typing 3.5-1.5/3.5 means the first expression.
For the second expression, we type grouping symbols around the numerator (like Dr. Peterson showed).
Here are some links to lessons about Order of Operations:
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\(\displaystyle 3.5 - \frac{1.5}{3.5}\)
\(\displaystyle \frac{3.5 - 1.5}{3.5}\)
In the first expression, we do the division first.
In the second expression, we do the subtraction first.
Typing 3.5-1.5/3.5 means the first expression.
For the second expression, we type grouping symbols around the numerator (like Dr. Peterson showed).
Here are some links to lessons about Order of Operations:
Order of Operations Definition (Illustrated Mathematics Dictionary)
Illustrated definition of Order of Operations: The rules that say which calculation comes first in an expression. They are: do everything inside parentheses...
www.mathsisfun.com
Order of Operations - PEMDAS
Learn how to calculate things in the correct order. Calculate them in the wrong order, and you can get a wrong answer!
www.mathsisfun.com
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