Monday, October 19, 2009

Order Of Operations

We all remember FOIL from Algebra I.

First
Outer
Inner
Last

Following these steps was the key to unlocking binomials. While almost everybody is able to maneuver through basic Algebra, why do I see the order of operations violated so many times during everyday life?

How many people do you see fill their paper cup with piping hot coffee before putting on a cup sleeve?

Isn't it much easier, quicker and safer to put the sleeve on before filling it with a potentially law-suit inducing, hot, beverage?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

On that note... why not put the sugar and cream in before the coffee? That way it gets mixed as you fill it with coffee, eliminating the waste of the mixing straws!