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Brace yourselves for this math problem on Facebook

insyder said:
The way its written isn't "wrong" and accomplishes its intent of testing students on the rules of the order of operations.
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From my perspective (I'm an applied physics PhD student), not a soul I know would ever write out what is a relatively simple expression in such an ambiguous manner. You might not call it wrong, but I certainly wouldn't call it 'right'.

No one in the sciences writes out equations or numbers in such a manner. No one.
 
Heh, I wouldn't say "no one." Just wait until you're hooded and you focus your energy on something other than your dissertation research. You'll be absolutely stunned by the stupidity of many of your fellow doctors. We are talking basics.

On the other hand, if you stay in the university setting, you can just join in on the academic circle jerk, focus on the politics, and not pay any attention to it.
 
Writing out an equation like that would have earned you a beating out behind the engineering library at my college. :twofinger [/thug life]
 
CoorsLight said:
Heh, I wouldn't say "no one." Just wait until you're hooded and you focus your energy on something other than your dissertation research. You'll be absolutely stunned by the stupidity of many of your fellow doctors. We are talking basics.

On the other hand, if you stay in the university setting, you can just join in on the academic circle jerk, focus on the politics, and not pay any attention to it.
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Thankfully, my whole department is pretty darn amazing, both faculty and student alike. Couple of jerks here and there, but that's the norm, you know?

No plans to stay in the university setting. In fact, I'm rather looking forward to a 9-5 that lets me make cool shit and spend my weekends sailing/flying/riding rather than frantically writing grants.


....

(And seriously.. just use fractions people, jesus christ)
 
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stangmx13 said:
the expression is only unclear to some because they dont actually understand the meaning of () or correct order of operations. a lack of understanding doesnt make the expression itself ambiguous.
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This. If you didnt get 58 you simply dont understand the use of parenthesis or order of operations.
 
Kestrel said:
...You might not call it wrong, but I certainly wouldn't call it 'right'.
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I agree wholeheartedly. But rather than placing blame on the problem or the author of the problem, I'd rather focus on the mathematical rules required to process the problem.

I wonder if this equation would be similarly argued as being poorly written. Same thing, just proper use of the parenthesis.

6^2 / 2(1+2) + 4
 
tuxumino said:
6^2
_________

2(3)+4
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Exactly how I saw it. If it was written in correct scientific notation, that is how it would have been written. I was taught to immediate construct numerator and denominator when you see a division sign. Now we got what?

At least put some damn parentheses so we don't have these threads on barf. Excel demands them, who the hell are you? :x
 
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