Math problem

[thinkerbell]

How would you write this as an expression?

34 minus 5 times the difference of 11 and 6

I see two different ways...with two different answers.

 

[Tiffylv]

.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

34 - 5 * (11 - 6)
34 - 25
9

 

[hopemax]

If as written, using order of operations multiplication would be first, so

34 - 5*(11-6)

NOT

(34-5) X (11-6)

If they wanted the 2nd, they would probably use the same language in the first half as they used in the second half, ie: "difference of 34-5" times "difference of 11-6."

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

YES

34 - 5 * (11 - 6)
34 - 25
9

 

[DisneyOma]

You don't need the x for times, nor the asterick. 34-5(11-6) is the correct way to write it. Then use PEMDAS rules to do the math.

 

[elphaba91]

34 - 5 (11 - 6)
= 34 - 5 x 5
= 34 - 25
= 9

However, I can see how it could be
(34 - 5) x (11 - 6)
= 29 x 5
= 145
It is ambiguous.

 

[sam_gordon]

34 - 5 (11 - 6)
= 34 - 5 x 5
= 34 - 25
= 9

However, I can see how it could be
(34 - 5) x (11 - 6)
= 29 x 5
= 145
It is ambiguous.

In the written version in the op, I agree. I would guess hearing it spoken would determine which of the above formulas I would use.

Is it "34 minus 5, times the difference of 11 minus 6" or "34 minus, 5 times the difference of 11 minus 6"? Where the speaker pauses changes the equation IMO.

 

[kimmar067]

How would you write this as an expression?

34 minus 5 times the difference of 11 and 6

I see two different ways...with two different answers.

....adding a comma could change the entire expression:

34 minus 5, times the difference of 11 and 6

(34-5) x (11-6)
31 x 5
155

or

34 - 5(11-6)
34 - 5(5)
34 - 25
9

....as long as there is no comma, the 2nd operation is correct, since one would be multiplying 5 by an answer to an operation [in this case, subtraction]...of course, you'd multiply the 5 by 5 before subtracting from 34, due to order of operations.

 

[RedAngie]

How would you write this as an expression?

34 minus 5 times the difference of 11 and 6

I see two different ways...with two different answers.

34 - 5 (11 - 6)
= 34 - 5 x 5
= 34 - 25
= 9

However, I can see how it could be
(34 - 5) x (11 - 6)
= 29 x 5
= 145
It is ambiguous.

The Catholic school nuns back then apparently never heard of the Orders of Operations. We were taught to "read" it from left to right. So I would have come up with the answer of 145.

It wasn't until high school when I learned PEMDAS. The math teacher said to me, "Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally" and I was thinking.......uh, why, what did she do?

My parents never heard of PEMDAS, and neither did a lot of people I know over 60.

 

[donalorow]

You don't need the x for times