Re: Calc: `*' binds more strongly than `/'

[Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca>]

> No, not normal for mathemeticians (and me on a bad day), who expect
> A*B/C*D to be the same as (A*B)/(C*D).

My math specialty is logic rather than calculus, but I've always learned to
parse "A*B/C*D" as "((A*B)/C)*D".  Your point is valid when you use the
juxtaposition notation rather than *: A B / C D is indeed (A*B)/(C*D).
And it's also valid when you use the horizontal bar, of course.

But for "A*B/C*D" I have a difficult time believing that some "standard math
notation" would parse it as you suggest.  I.e. do you have any reference to
concrete data to back up this hypothesis?


        Stefan