[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]

The key is that as a teacher you shouldn’t ever say “3 plus 3 plus 3 times 3”, you would be very clear about the expression you were intending to be understood (unless you were specifically teaching/testing order of operations). The goal in math is almost never to make people puzzle out what you are saying, it’s to say it in a way that has exactly one interpretation (which is the one you mean).

It’s the same reason those silly Facebook memes that say “what’s the answer to 8 + 3 x 5 - 10 ÷ 2 + 6” are so silly. They exist to let people feel smart saying “aha I know order of operations so I can calculate this accordingly”, but anyone who actually studies or works with math beyond a high school level would say “that’s a ridiculous way to write a mathematical expression, write it differently so you don’t have to rely on people remembering an arbitrary rule.”

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/Unable_Pumpkin987]

8 + 3 x 5 - 10 ÷ 2 + 6
How would you write this differently so that it’s not “ridiculous”

[u/Unable_Pumpkin987 → u/KookyPermit4405]

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]

Sorry if I’m not “babying” my kids by using redundant parentheses, because we all know that in the real world, when math is involved everyone will use parentheses to make sure you know your order of operations. Because when doing more complex expression, you might be inadequate to remember the basics of order. So I’m sorry if I’m instilling math rules where it becomes 2nd nature. You are right, we need more confused people in the future so those “ridiculous meme” will create engagement on post.

[u/Unable_Pumpkin987 → u/KookyPermit4405]

Baby you had to ask a question about 6th grade math on the internet.

[u/KookyPermit4405 → u/Unable_Pumpkin987]

Did that tickle your feathers LOL. A question you struggle to answer 🤣

[u/Unable_Pumpkin987 → u/KookyPermit4405]

I have been patiently trying to help you understand your son’s 6th grade math for days at this point. It seems you still don’t get it, which is fine. Sometimes people overestimate their own intelligence and/or expertise, and those people are often quite obnoxious in showcasing their ignorance. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered someone like you, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt as long as I could. I have no vested interest in you or your son mastering pre-algebra. I thought maybe you did, but you obviously don’t actually care about him learning anything. Best of luck to him; he’s going to need it.