order of operations with division and multiplication

T

Tim923

The following lines were tried:

x1 = (-b + sqrt(pow(b,2)-(4*a*c))) /(2*a);

x1 = (-b + sqrt(pow(b,2)-(4*a*c))) / 2*a;


I noticed that the last parentheses were optional and didn't change
anything.
Although if I mean 1/(2*5)=0.1 then 1/2*5=2.5 is not the same. What
is the difference?
 
P

Pete Becker

Tim923 said:
The following lines were tried:

x1 = (-b + sqrt(pow(b,2)-(4*a*c))) /(2*a);

x1 = (-b + sqrt(pow(b,2)-(4*a*c))) / 2*a;


I noticed that the last parentheses were optional and didn't change
anything.
Although if I mean 1/(2*5)=0.1 then 1/2*5=2.5 is not the same. What
is the difference?

It's not order, but grouping. That is, you have to be sure that each
operation gets applied to the correct operands. Generally speaking, math
operators group from left to right, so a/b*c says that a should be
divided by b, and the result multiplied by c. To change this grouping,
add parentheses: a/(b*c).
 
E

Evan

It should matter, and does for me. Sure you tried it with something
other than a=1?
 
M

marbac

Tim923 said:
Although if I mean 1/(2*5)=0.1 then 1/2*5=2.5 is not the same. What
is the difference?

The Rank of both operators / and * is the same in the second example,
but the associativity in this case is from left to right. That means
that operator 1/2 is calculated first, after this 1/2 is multiplied by 5.

Due to higher Rank of "()" 2*5 is calculated before the division in the
first example.
 

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