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PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.
(US, France, Philippines)
8÷2×(2+2) = x
8÷2×4 = x
8÷8 = x
1 = x
BEDMAS - Brackets, Exponents, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction
(UK, Canada, India)
8÷2×(2+2) = x
8÷2×4 = x
4×4 = x
16 = x
Why is there a difference?
It boils down to wether multiplication and division should be done first.
The misconception in using either PEMDAS or BEDMAS is that the priority between the two operations (M & D) is to be followed as to the acronym. But they really have equal priority. So, in the expression,
8÷2×4 = x
it should be solved from left to right. Coincidentally, the BEDMAS order gets the correct answer, 16. (Sorry PEMDAS fans..)HOWEVER, in reality, mathematical expressions will not be written this way by an instructor. The symbols × and ÷ will rarely, if ever used at all. The problem should be expressed like this to avoid confusion,
8/[2(2+2)] = 1
or
(8/2)(2+2) = 16
to make it correct either using PEMDAS or BEDMAS "the wrong way".or
(8/2)(2+2) = 16
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