![](\"\/..\/images\/div_frac_feb15_2018.png\")
<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Consider the following expression:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Of course, we know this expression must equal 1:<\/p>\n
![](\"\/..\/images\/div_frac1_feb15_2018.png\")
<\/p>\n
How would you enter the expression above on a calculator? Some people might enter it as 2+6÷3+5, which will yield the answer 9 on many calculators. What’s the problem, and what can be done to get the answer one would expect?<\/p>\n
Your typical scientific calculator will follow the order of operations (BEDMAS: brackets, exponents, division, multiplication, addition, subtraction). Receiving the expression<\/p>\n
2+6÷3+5<\/p>\n
the calculator does the division first: specifically, 6÷3=2:<\/p>\n
2+2+5<\/p>\n
then proceeds to the addition:<\/p>\n
2+2+5=9<\/p>\n
While some calculators have up-and-down display that shows fractions as people write them, most people I see don’t yet use those models. The one-line scientific calculator likely won’t know, if you enter 2+6÷3+5, that you mean<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(if, in fact, that’s what you mean). It just follows BEDMAS.<\/p>\n
How can you enter <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
so your scientific calculator will understand? Use brackets:<\/p>\n
(2+6)÷(3+5)<\/p>\n
Now, following BEDMAS, the calculator will execute the brackets first:<\/p>\n
(2+6)÷(3+5)=8÷8<\/p>\n
Next, it will divide:<\/p>\n
8÷8=1<\/p>\n
If you’re unsure, try some examples on your calculator to make sure your entry method gets the answers it should:)<\/p>\n