Order of operations - what is 6÷2(1+2) ?

[BruceH]

(12-07-2018 10:22 AM)grsbanks Wrote:  What this boils down to is whether or not implicit multiplication takes precedence over "normal" multiplication and division. While it was many years ago, I have no recollection of this being taught in maths classes in either of two different countries (the approach to teaching in France is quite different to that in the UK), so I would say that the expression is equivalent to (6÷2)(1+2) = 9.

For me, it's not the 'implicit multiplication' but the fact that writing ÷ by hand is so uncommon. What's much more common is writing \( \frac{6}{2(1+2)} \) or \( \frac{6}{2} (1+2) \) where the scope of the division is given by the length of the line and unambiguous.

Either way, children are taught BODMAS / PEMDAS [1] and it's just a case of applying the rules, taking care not to assume you know what the question is.

[1] Or the equivalent in other languages