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RE: Calculator question
Posted:
Jul 23, 1998 4:37 PM
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This isn't a bug. On the TI-82's implicit multiplication is treated as a higher order operation than explicit multiplication. (This is documented in their manual, but who actually reads manuals.) Consequently, in the expression 10/5(2) the multiplication of 5(2) is implicit and performed before the division. In the example 10/5*2 the multiplication is explicit and so the division/multiplications are performed in order from left to right.
Curtis Card Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD 57799
-----Original Message----- From: ap-calc [mailto:ap-calc@ets.org] Sent: Thursday, July 23, 1998 11:35 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Calculator question
Jerry -
Looks like a bug to me. I hope that TI is monitoring this site. You should notify them.
Bob Enenstein Carlmont High School
---Jerry Brodkey <jbrod@leland.Stanford.EDU> wrote: > > One of my former students who is now starting to teach asked me the > following question for which I don't have a good answer; > > On the TI-82: 10/5*2 equals 4 > > but 10/5(2) equals 1. > > The order of operations rules that I've been using for twenty years would > agree with the answer equal to one. Multiplication and division are > "equal" in power and you work from left to right. The parentheses in this > case don't change the order of operations. > > Have I missed something? Thought I'd throw this out to the list serve > for any thoughts. > > Thanks , > Jerry Brodkey > Menlo-Atherton High School > Atherton, Ca >
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