Help with this math problem... I'm not smarter than a 5th grader

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, math teacher, but addition/subtraction and multiplication/division can be done right to left, left to right, it doesn't make any difference as long as the signs are in the right place.
-10+5-9+6 is the same as 6-10-9+5 or any other order you want to put it. Same with 8*4/3 is 8/3*4... How much math does one actually have to study to become a math teacher?

[Anonymous]

Using PEDMAS, multiplication/division or addition/subtraction have to be done left to right, or else the answer will be different.
THe answer is 20

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teacher here. Yes, the answer is 20.

Multiplication and division are done from left to right (neither is done before the other).

Addition and subtraction are done from left to right (neither is done before the other).

We teach that along with the acronym!!

I think that teaching that instead of the acronym might be more effective. PEMDAS is a misleading mnemonic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, math teacher, but addition/subtraction and multiplication/division can be done right to left, left to right, it doesn't make any difference as long as the signs are in the right place.
-10+5-9+6 is the same as 6-10-9+5 or any other order you want to put it. Same with 8*4/3 is 8/3*4... How much math does one actually have to study to become a math teacher?

Another math teacher here: although this is true, more people understand it if explained the other way as many students hesitate at bringing the signs with the numbers. Both are equally good explanations. Sometimes you need to
Teach it a couple ways for people to get why. I agree that PEDMAS creates problems, as demonstrated by all the answers of 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, math teacher, but addition/subtraction and multiplication/division can be done right to left, left to right, it doesn't make any difference as long as the signs are in the right place.
-10+5-9+6 is the same as 6-10-9+5 or any other order you want to put it. Same with 8*4/3 is 8/3*4... How much math does one actually have to study to become a math teacher?

Another math teacher here: although this is true, more people understand it if explained the other way as many students hesitate at bringing the signs with the numbers. Both are equally good explanations. Sometimes you need to
Teach it a couple ways for people to get why. I agree that PEDMAS creates problems, as demonstrated by all the answers of 10.

Exactly, as demonstrated by some adults here, they don't understand that if you don't do it left to right, the signs go with the numbers.