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In elementary algebra, parentheses ( ) are used to specify the order of operations. [1] Terms inside the bracket are evaluated first; hence 2×(3 + 4) is 14, 20 ÷ (5(1 + 1)) is 2 and (2×3) + 4 is 10. This notation is extended to cover more general algebra involving variables: for example (x + y) × (x − y). Square brackets are also often ...
In academic literature, when inline fractions are combined with implied multiplication without explicit parentheses, the multiplication is conventionally interpreted as having higher precedence than division, so that e.g. 1 / 2n is interpreted to mean 1 / (2 · n) rather than (1 / 2) · n.
For example: in the usual order of algebraic operations, 4 × 3 + 2 equals 14, since the multiplication is done before the addition. However, 4 × (3 + 2) equals 20, because the parentheses override normal precedence, causing the addition to be done first. Some authors follow the convention in mathematical equations that, when parentheses have ...
[2] A superscript is understood to be grouped as long as it continues in the form of a superscript. For example if an x has a superscript of the forma+b, the sum is the exponent. For example: x 2+3, it is understood that the 2+3 is grouped, and that the exponent is the sum of 2 and 3. These rules are understood by all mathematicians.
The FOIL method is a special case of a more general method for multiplying algebraic expressions using the distributive law. The word FOIL was originally intended solely as a mnemonic for high-school students learning algebra. The term appears in William Betz's 1929 text Algebra for Today, where he states: [2]
Multiplication can also be thought of as scaling. Here, 2 is being multiplied by 3 using scaling, giving 6 as a result. Animation for the multiplication 2 × 3 = 6 4 × 5 = 20. The large rectangle is made up of 20 squares, each 1 unit by 1 unit. Area of a cloth 4.5m × 2.5m = 11.25m 2; 4 1 / 2 × 2 1 / 2 = 11 1 / 4
A scalar beside a vector (either or both of which may be in parentheses) implies scalar multiplication. The two common operators, a dot and a rotated cross, are also acceptable (although the rotated cross is almost never used), but they risk confusion with dot products and cross products, which operate on two vectors.
In algebra, it is a notation to resolve ambiguity (for instance, "b times 2" may be written as b⋅2, to avoid being confused with a value called b 2). This notation is used wherever multiplication should be written explicitly, such as in " ab = a ⋅2 for b = 2 "; this usage is also seen in English-language texts.