What math operation order do you use? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago by TotallyWorthLife@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I have seen several people saying the order operation is

Brackets/Parenthesis
Orders (roots and powers)
Divisions
Multiplications
Subtractions
Additions

But I was taught it as

Brackets/Parenthesis
Roots and powers, left to right (independently of the exact operation)
Divisions and multiplications, left to right (independently of the exact operation)
Subtractions and additions, left to right (independently of the exact operation)

So, what order were you taught and/or use today?

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[-] chunes@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

I only write math in the context of programming languages. I prefer ones without order of operations. Rebol, (Polish notation), Factor/Forth (Postfix notation), smalltalk, (left-to-right) apl (right-to-left), etc.

In short, it doesn't matter as long as your audience understands you.

this post was submitted on 14 May 2026

32 points (100.0% liked)

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