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In algebra class, the order doesn't matter, because you're never doing assignment operations, you're just figuring out equality. = vs == strikes again.
by krakensden 17y ago
In algebra class, the order doesn't matter, because you're never doing assignment operations, you're just figuring out equality.
= vs == strikes again.
- weaksauce 17y agoWhile true, in algebra x=0 and 0=x are equivalent, the convention that the teachers teach is to have the dependent variable on the left.
- swolchok 17y agoI remember in sixth grade when they revealed to us that "3 \cdot a" and "3a" were additional notations for "3 x a" (three times a) and encouraged use of those notations on homework, I happily wrote "a3" as well because multiplication is commutative.
- erlanger 17y agoA simple example would be a fifth-grade teacher testing on the pythagorean theorum. I think the problem would always be worded (assuming no diagram) a = 3 b = 4 c = ? Granted, this is one person's experience, but I never recall a variable's value being presented as 3 = a
- DougBTX 17y agoTrue, the dependent variable should be on the left. Sometimes it matters less, for example to express that two sides have the same length, a = b and b = a would both be acceptable. Possibly more important, you would never see: a = 3 a = 4 Begs the question: which is it, 3 or 4? Or does 3 = 4 too? Just a reminder that the operators really are equality, not assignment.