Basic Math Problem - Need Help

[benbo]

Order of operations is not a mathematical theory that can be proven, it is a mutually agreed-upon set of rules that create a method of communication.

Yes, I agree, all math problems should be written so as to avoid any ambiguity (although, this thread would have been a lot more boring if the equation had been written as "(6/2)(1+2)"

If we accept MP's statement this wouldn't help. There is no way to write this problem clearly. Or to commuinicate at all. Everything is based on mutually agreed upon symbology and open to interpretation. 2+2 can equal anything if I don't accept the "mutually agreed upon" meaning of the symbol "2" or the symbol "+". At what point does it become ridiculous?
The only thing that matters is what the boss thinks.

 

[mudpuppy]

It depends on what your definition of "is" is.

 

[IlPadrino]

Reminds me of a t-shirt I want to buy... "There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those that understand binary and those that don't."

 

[Master slacker]

I'd fork that shirt's repo.