How did we originally say that everything in the parenthesis has to be done first. And what evidence do we rely on to say that multiplication/division have to be done before adding/subtraction?

Everything in the world/universe we know of today relies on those basic calculation skills, known as the order of operation. We calculate how far the stars, galaxies, etc. using those basic knowledge.

What if, just what if, there is another civilization out there somewhere who has a different type of order of operation. Instead of doing multiplication/divisions first, they do adding/subtraction first. Wouldn't then all their calculations on the universe and their world be much different from our view of the universe/world?

Since our view and their views are so different, wouldn't it be catastrophic?

:):D;):(:o:confused:

To do those calculations everythiing is converted to RPN, so this is fundamental. RPN is reverse Polish Notation.

Thus 3(3+8/2)*(1/8) is

1 8 / 8 2 / 3+ 3 * *

I use an RPN calculator all the time. I prefer it. No one will borrow the calculator either.

Reverse Polish notation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_Polish_notation)

SO, you learn their language.

Use pictures of a circle. What is area, etc.
So we use pi*R^2 and maybe they use sigma * r $ r"
where their $ is our * and r * r is r^2; You have to learn their language. Math is a language, I think.

SO, you learn their language.

Use pictures of a circle. What is area, etc.
So we use pi*R^2 and maybe they use sigma * r $ r"
where their $ is our * and r * r is r^2; You have to learn their language. Math is a language, I think.

OHHH, so basically, if there calculation of the area of a circle is off, then we know that they're language AND calculation is all off eh? I get you!

You ought to see this movie: Colossus the Forbin Project

Colossus: The Forbin Project - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=269528)

Two supercomputers one in Russia and one in the US start to talk to each other.

You ought to see this movie: Colossus the Forbin Project

Colossus: The Forbin Project - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=269528)

Two supercomputers one in Russia and one in the US start to talk to each other.

Thanks man!