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Old 04-29-2011, 09:35 PM  
WarChild
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eroticsexxx View Post
False. The equation is not ambiguous as implied multiplication takes precedent over explicit functions. Period.

Excel's limitations in formulas is due to the way that program is coded and requires formulas to be written. It has nothing to do with the way the equation is written. An attempt to formulate a explanation of ambiguity due to excel's limitations is flawed

It is an agreed upon standard that implied multiplication outranks explicit. THAT is the very nature of the use of implied multiplication - to eliminate the need for the double parentheses.
Actually, it's not an agreed upon standard. Implied multiplication having a higher priority than explicit is not a standard. Here's at least three Universites that don't teach it:

http://www.math.unt.edu/mathlab/emat...tical_oper.htm
http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/CS...mack/helen.htm
http://www.r.umn.edu/academics/advis...ions/index.htm

You'll notice that in case they say Multiplciation and Division should be handled left to right with no priority given to implied multiplication.

So, it depends on how you're solving with which set of rules. That's why equations are never written ambigously like this and if you want to get the answer of 2, and only the answer of 2 you need to write it on two lines or with an extra set of parenthesis. As it's written 288 is a valid answer.
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Last edited by WarChild; 04-29-2011 at 09:36 PM..
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