this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2025
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[–] SmartmanApps@programming.dev -1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I mean, it is pretty clear here that you do not really understand the purpose of notation,

says person who doesn't understand that there is only one possible answer to 2+3x4. Even kids who are still counting up know what it is

Notation is just a constructed language to convey a mathematical idea, it’s malleable

Yep, and the rules aren't. 2+3x4 can only ever equal 14. In Germany it's written 2+3.4, and it's still equal to 14, because the rules are universal

Nothing you referenced proved the convention as law

says person ignoring the textbook screenshots explaining why it's a Law πŸ™„

neither is there any mathematical basis for any proof

Yes there is. See textbook screenshots πŸ™„

it simply is nonsensical to β€œprove” a notation

It proves the rules πŸ™„

Have another source for this being convention https://www.themathdoctors.org/order-of-operations-why/

Read the comments and you'll find multiple people telling him he is wrong, with references πŸ˜‚ His usual comeback is "well, that doesn't prove that it's taught everywhere", yeah only that they ALL say the same thing! πŸ˜‚ And he even admitted at one point he couldn't find his rule in any Maths textbooks. πŸ˜‚ I even tried to tell him myself, and he deleted my comment because I proved he was wrong πŸ˜‚

or https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/884765/mathematical-proof-for-order-of-operations.

Is well-known to be overridden with people who do not know how to do order of operations πŸ˜‚ On Mastodon I've seen people asking where is a better place to take Maths problems

If you want a book about this

I have plenty of Maths textbooks, which for some reason you refuse to look in

there’s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronshtein_and_Semendyayev that is cited by wikipedia.

"comprehensive handbook" - so, yet again, not a Maths textbook πŸ™„

"first published in 1945 in Russia" - the order of operations rules are older than 1945 πŸ˜‚

"frequently used guide for scientists, engineers, and technical university students" - notably no mention of Mathematicians

I’m sure you could also find stuff about this in a set theory book

and you could find this in a high school Maths textbook

Though good luck understanding them without sufficient experience in high-level maths

You know teachers here are required to have a Masters in Maths right?? πŸ˜‚

But why is it the correct answer?

Count up and find out, or use some Cuisenaire rods. This is how young kids learn to do it

In what context?

The context of Addition πŸ™„

What is the definition of addition?

1+1=2, then inductively proven for all subsequent numbers

How can you prove that 1+1=2 from fundamental axioms?

It's true by definition

This is harder to answer than you might think

Not hard at all. 1+1=2 by definition, then the rest of the numbers are proven inductively. You know there are several species of animals that also know how to count, right?

[–] SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Maths is so much more malleable and abstract than what you think it is. You really do not understand maths as well as you think you do, and I feel a bit sad for any student of yours that would wish to explore some deeper revelations of maths, just to be told "nope! That's just how it is!" with no further thinking at all.

A lot of maths is chosen. Choices with good motivation, but choices nonetheless. So long as there not being contradictions or paradoxes, the formulation of a form of math is valid. Which is why you have different forms of maths with different rules.

And you really could use some more humility, it's obnoxious when you act all so high and mighty and arrogant, with no interest in questioning your assumptions. Devolving into ridiculing the person you're discussing with and a general vibe of "omfg I'm right you fucking idiot because I'm right how dumb can you get??"

Like, what is it that you want here, a book from the 700s of the one dude that invented arithmetics and told clearly "I chose this."? You are making your arguments effectively unfalsifiable by just going "Nuh uh" all the time.

Get some humility and learn a bit about the foundations of maths. Like. Down to set theory. See for yourself what actually is the foundation. And, spoiler, it's not a high school textbook. Hopefully I do not need to tell you how concepts are simplified for younger students, instead of overwhelming them with the complete knowledge of a subject.

[–] SmartmanApps@programming.dev -1 points 2 days ago

Maths is so much more malleable and abstract than what you think it is

No it isn't, as per Maths textbooks

You really do not understand maths as well as you think you do

says someone who doesn't understand it at all

just to be told β€œnope! That’s just how it is!” with no further thinking at all

Just as well I'm their teacher then, hey? πŸ˜‚ I showed you the textbooks, and you refused to look at them

A lot of maths is chosen

Nope! Only the notation.

So long as there not being contradictions or paradoxes, the formulation of a form of math is valid

You mean so long as it obeys the laws of nature

Which is why you have different forms of maths with different rules

But we don't have different rules, only different notations. The rules of Maths are universal

And you really could use some more humility

says person who refuses to look in Maths textbooks

it’s obnoxious when you act all so high and mighty and arrogant,

says person who refuses to look in Maths textbooks

with no interest in questioning your assumptions

there aren't any. All the rules of Maths are explicitly spelt out in Maths textbooks, not to mention several of which are easy to prove.

Devolving into ridiculing the person you’re discussing with

Like the person who refuses to look in Maths textbooks

told clearly β€œI chose this.”?

No-one chose it. There are even several species of animals that know how to count! πŸ˜‚ It's a universal law

You are making your arguments effectively unfalsifiable by just going β€œNuh uh” all the time

Just as well I also provide the proof in the form of Maths textbooks. Oh wait, you keep refusing to look at them! πŸ˜‚

Get some humility

says person who refuses to look in Maths textbooks

learn a bit about the foundations of maths.

says person who knows nothing about it. Makes up fanciful stories like it was "chosen" when nature proves otherwise

See for yourself what actually is the foundation

It's Arithmetic. Even some animals know how to do Arithmetic, none of them know how to do set theory! πŸ˜‚

And, spoiler, it’s not a high school textbook.

That's right, it's a Primary school textbook πŸ˜‚

Hopefully I do not need to tell you how concepts are simplified for younger students

And yet you still manage to not understand them πŸ™„

instead of overwhelming them with the complete knowledge of a subject

Welcome to why Algebra isn't taught until Year 7 πŸ˜‚