(-) precedence

[jhallen]

Check out Florian Cajori's book on the history of mathematical symbols:

https://monoskop.org/images/2/21/Cajori_...2_Vols.pdf

See page 246 (pdf page 262). The idea of using different symbols for negative numbers was debated throughout the 19th and early 20th century. There were proposals for different signs for negative numbers. I would quote it, but the typography is difficult.

Also this is interesting (page 274): "Order of operations in terms containing both ÷ and X . If an arithmetical or algebraical term contains ÷ and X, there is at present no agreement as to which sign shall be used first. "It is best to avoid such expression." For instance, if in 24÷4X2 the signs are used as they occur in the order from left to right, the answer is 12: if the sign X is used first, the answer is 3. Some authors follow the rule that the multiplications and divisions shall be taken in the order in which they occur. Other textbook writers direct that multiplications in any order be performed first, then divisions as they occur from left to right. The term a÷bXb is interpreted by Fisher and Schwatt as (a÷b) Xb. An English committee recommends the use of brackets to avoid ambiguity in such cases"