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> "4 apples + 5 oranges * 18 friends" ― wasn't that meant to be "(4 apples + 5 oranges) * 18 friends"? In the 'real world', that would clearly be the correct i
by oneeyedpigeon 11y ago
> "4 apples + 5 oranges * 18 friends" ― wasn't that meant to be "(4 apples + 5 oranges) * 18 friends"?
In the 'real world', that would clearly be the correct interpretation, even if it flies in the face of the 'standard' rules of precedence. If the calculator really works that way, it only makes it more impressive in my book.
- Chris2048 11y agoWhy is it that way in the real world? The example is still abstract, and without clear interpretation without context. The text is supposed to be, in the first place, all the relevant context in an abstract form, i.e. problem minus all irrelevancies.
- oneeyedpigeon 11y ago> Why is it that way in the real world? It's an interesting discussion how the nature of concrete items involved in calculations might affect the precedence. I think that, since "apples" and "oranges" are clearly more closely related than "friends", it makes sense that they bind together more closely in this case. Also, the order in which the items are presented has some bearing on the interpretation.
- Chris2048 11y agoSounds like DWIM, NWIS...