docmoc_pp t1_iyc01gd wrote on November 30, 2022 at 7:03 AM Reply to ELI5 why we first multiply, then add by TheManNamedPeterPan It’s because you’re not really multiplying. You’re repeat adding. 1 + 2 x 3 is really 1 + 2 +2 + 2. Now if you throw some parentheses around the one and the two, you change the story. (1 + 2) x 3 is really (1 + 2) + (1 + 2) + (1 + 2) which is indeed 9 Permalink 1
docmoc_pp t1_iyc01gd wrote
Reply to ELI5 why we first multiply, then add by TheManNamedPeterPan
It’s because you’re not really multiplying. You’re repeat adding.
1 + 2 x 3 is really 1 + 2 +2 + 2.
Now if you throw some parentheses around the one and the two, you change the story.
(1 + 2) x 3 is really (1 + 2) + (1 + 2) + (1 + 2) which is indeed 9