This is what my classmate said in our class discussion post:

Question

The narrator says that PEMDAS is wrong because of the confusion it causes with people. He said it can mislead people into thinking thats the order a problem should be done in. The narrator also says that the correct way to teach the order of operation should be using the left to right convention. I think we all need to agree on a way to teach or do the order of operations because when you have multiple ways of doing or teaching something it can easily confuse a student on what is the right way to do a problem.

Reply to their posts with the answers to these questions:
1.  Do you agree with their opinion?
2.  Do you feel they are justified in their opinion?
3.  How does it compare to your opinion?

Answer 1

I appreciate your insights on the narrator's stance regarding PEMDAS and how it can create confusion.

1. I agree with your opinion that there can be issues with the way PEMDAS is taught, particularly if students misunderstand its application. The emphasis on a strict order can sometimes lead to mistakes, especially when it comes to resolving operations like multiplication and addition that share the same level of precedence.

2. I do feel you are justified in your perspective. The importance of clarity in teaching the order of operations cannot be overstated, and if a system like PEMDAS is leading to confusion, it's worth exploring alternative methods like the left-to-right convention you mentioned. A consistent approach is crucial for students to build a solid foundation in mathematics.

3. Comparatively, I think we share a similar view that consistency in teaching methods is essential. While I acknowledge the limitations of PEMDAS, I also believe that with clear explanations and examples, it can still be useful if taught alongside an understanding of how to approach operations from left to right when necessary. It's all about finding the right balance to ensure students grasp the concepts without feeling overwhelmed.