It's not seventeen

Algebra Level 2

He wrote quickly:

4 + 9 − (2 × 16) + ((1 ÷ 3) × 6) − 67 + (8 × 2) − 3 + ((26 − 1) ÷ 34) + (3 ÷ 7) + 2 − 5 =

Then he looked up expectantly.

"Seventeen!" shouted the bug, who always managed to be first with the wrong answer.

What is the correct answer, to three decimal places?


The answer is -72.836.

Denton Young by Denton Young , 47, USA

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1 solution

Denton Young
Jan 12, 2017

Please excuse my dear aunt Sally.

4 + 9 - 32 + 2 - 67 + 16 - 3 + (25/34) + (3/7) + 2 - 5

-71 + (25/34) + (3/7) - 3

-74 + (175/238) + (102/238)

-74 + 277/238

-72.836

1 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

I can't believe I've never come across that mnemonic for PEDMAS before, (which may be because I learned it instead as BODMAS). :)

Brian Charlesworth - 4 years, 4 months ago

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I love mnemonics.

Read Out Your Good Book In Verse is the colors of the rainbow.

Timid Virgins Make Dull Company is how you keep your compass course at sea.

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally is order of mathematical operations.

And so on... so many, so useful.

Denton Young - 4 years, 4 months ago

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For the spectrum I use Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain. And they regrettably didn't teach the Timid Virgins mnemonic at sailing school. :)

Brian Charlesworth - 4 years, 4 months ago

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