Warren, computer languages (that I am aware of) do *not* parse it as a*b*(c/d)*e but rather as (((a*b)*c)/d)*e which can be very different depending on the types involved, with respect to at least integer overflow, floating point overflow, denormals, and more. On Fri, Dec 11, 2015 at 12:17 PM, Warren D Smith <warren.wds@gmail.com> wrote:
Speaking of which, I once wrote a paper containing a formula like abc/de using a slash. I intended a*b*(c/d)*e which is how computer languages parse it.
But at least one reader wrote me an infuriated letter making it clear he interpreted as (a*b*c)/(d*e). I then replied to clear up the matter, but about 6 years later same guy apparently re-read my paper, forgot my old reply, and sent me another infuriated letter saying same thing! But, I should have inserted parentheses to avoid this whole issue, lesson learned.
-- Warren D. Smith http://RangeVoting.org <-- add your endorsement (by clicking "endorse" as 1st step)
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