Whats the answer to this maths question?

[fork me]

7 girls get on a bus, each girl has 7 bags, each bag has 7 big cats, each big cat has 7 little cats, how many legs get on the bus?

Only 14 that I actually care about.

 

[Triggaaar]

since when? i alway remember being told work from left to right.. adding/minusing first, then x & /

You were told wrong

 

[fork me]

In A-level maths, we use brackets to avoid confusion

If that's true, then it SERIOUS dumbing down.

BTW, I'm a A'level chemistry teacher, I expect my pupils to be able to work with complex equations and use BODMAS correctly.

 

[fork me]

Aye, this. I can't remember what maths I was taught when I was twelve, because I'd already learnt it myself (being a bit of a nerd) so never paid any attention. But I can't believe they're teaching some "dunce maths" that will have to be unlearnt in a couple of years. What for? To make it "easier"?

I don't think it's a case of "dunce maths", the only way to teach anything complex is by starting out simple then adding the compexities. For example, in chemstry, the model of the atom is hugely simplified. It becomes more accurate at A'level, and then more accurate still should you wish to take studies further at Uni.

 

[Triggaaar]

I find it amazing that so many of the 'mathematicians' on here cannot conjour up some logical explanation why BODMAS is used rather than the more logical sequential left to right method (excepting of course if brackets are actually used). Mathematics is probably considered by many to be a logical science but BODMAS goes against the grain.

(I'm not a mathematician) It seems to make more sense if the order is irrelevant, such that 4 + 5 x 5 = 5 x 5 + 4. Using BODMAS makes solving equations more logical.

 

[AuntAgonist]

I don't think it's a case of "dunce maths", the only way to teach anything complex is by starting out simple then adding the compexities. For example, in chemstry, the model of the atom is hugely simplified. It becomes more accurate at A'level, and then more accurate still should you wish to take studies further at Uni.

Fair point, but BODMAS (not a fan of that abbrev.) is pretty fundamental stuff and if we can't teach kids the basics at a young age what hope do we have for the future? It's just another case of dumbing down.

 

[Triggaaar]

Maybe because y3 could be confused with Y cubed?

Not really, because 3y could equally be confused with 3 to the power of y.

 

[fork me]

Fair point, but BODMAS (not a fan of that abbrev.) is pretty fundamental stuff and if we can't teach kids the basics at a young age what hope do we have for the future? It's just another case of dumbing down.

I dunno, I was at school in the 70s and 80s and back then BODMAS wasn't mentioned at all until O' level (remember them?).