Reply To: Elementary Mathematical Equation

Dr. Pepper: …”a/b/c. Is it (a/b)/c or a/(b/c)?”

What logic could argue for a/(b/c)? (a/b)/c is following your original equation left-to-right.

In the OP’s example you could invoke left to right. Or you could invoke the basis of prioritizing the touching rule. The left to right only became prevalent with the advent of calculators. Prior to the widespread use of calculators (i.e. within the last less than hundred years) the generally accepted convention was to prioritize touching — such as 2(2+2). Of course that’s only applicable where they otherwise hold equal priority, such as multiplication and division.