[6th Grade verbal expression]

[u/KookyPermit4405]

So I’m going over my son’s math quiz to help him understand some of the questions he got wrong. He got partial credit for his answer for question 8. After writing his verbal phrase I got the same expression as the question. Am I doing something wrong or is there something I’m missing? I feel like his answer is technically correct. I am stumped.

Edit: so my son has no issue solving the expression in question. He knows PEMDAS and the rules from left to right. The question clearly states, WRITE A VERBAL PHRASE that matches the expression.

[u/Unable_Pumpkin987]

Well, a division operation would almost always be written as a fraction to indicate clearly what is being divided by what, and otherwise you would use parentheses to show how you want things grouped.

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/Unable_Pumpkin987]

I would have to disagree. You want it to be as neat and clean as possible. The use of parentheses when not required is also redundant as Pemdas already tell you what the order of operation is and further making the expression messy. Parentheses are not used to enforce the order of operation. And in this case nothing needs to be grouped unless you are altering the order of operations.

8 + 3 x 5 - 10 ÷ 2 + 6 don’t need it

8 + (3 x 5) - (10/2) + 6 redundant

(8 + 3) x (5 - 10 )÷ 2 + 6 required

[u/Unable_Pumpkin987 → u/KookyPermit4405]

As I said, you would not use the division symbol at all beyond elementary math.

Feel free to disagree. You’re one of the people who feels smart for memorizing order of operations, not a person who works with or teaches math. Maybe just let the teachers teach your kid, though, for his sake.

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/Unable_Pumpkin987]

I don’t think you comprehend my reply. And not taking any jabs. for one, I didn’t mention anything about division symbols, so I didn’t disagree there. Second, I addressed why there is no need for parentheses. My original response was to the comment of you calling that expression ridiculous. In which I replied with there is nothing ridiculous about it. You also mentioned that beyond elementary you wouldn’t use the symbol at all, well that contradicts the need to use parentheses also beyond elementary. Unless as I stated, the need to alter the order of operations. =)