2 years, 3 months ago
It's a long time since I've done any maths. Can someone tell me how the rule of order of operations applies to this simple thing?
If you have to calculate the square root of a sum, like if you have "4 + 8" with the square root symbol around the whole thing, am I right in thinking that you calculate the sum and then do the square root of the result?
Thanks a million! I don't need a source, just someone who knows. :)
Thanks a million! I don't need a source, just someone who knows. :)
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M$1 Answer
That's correct. If the square root symbol is around an expression (4+8 in your case) you simply calculate the expression first and then the square root of the result. In this case sqrt(4+8) = sqrt(12) =~3.4641
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M$
True, but in this case, with the 4+8 under the same sqrt sign, the answer is as I stated it.
Heh heh heh.... It's still in the works, so it won't be appearing just yet...
I'll be posting it as a question when it's ready. :)
I don't do IRC so you can DQ me what this is for if you wish :).
Students may assume the operations are additive but in general they are not
sqrt(a+b) is not sqrt(a)+sqrt(b)
1/a+1/b is not 1/(a+b)
Also the logarithm ln(a+b) is not ln(a)+ln(b)
and so on
to see this, it is sufficient to make a=b=1 and you will see it doesn't give you the same number in the left hand as to right hand