Which of the following is read as "x plus y cube"?
a. $x+y^3$
b. $(x+y)^3$
Is there any standard in reading expressions that will address this question?
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3I would say $(a)$. One can differentiate the two by saying for example "the expression $x$ plus $y$ all cubed" for $(b)$. – Peter Foreman Jun 04 '20 at 11:25
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2exponentiation has higher priority than addition, so $a$ is the correct one if there are no parantheses. This also follows from "multiplication/division before addition/subtraction" – Peter Jun 04 '20 at 11:25
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To me this comes down to the cadence with which it is said. So, "$x$ ... plus $y$ cubed" and "$x$ plus $y$, cubed" – K.defaoite Jun 04 '20 at 12:16
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Realistically, I could imagine myself saying either one as "$x$ plus $y$ cubed" if I was writing it on the board at the same time or if I felt certain that the person I was talking to understood what I meant. To avoid ambiguity, I would read (b) as "$x$ plus $y$, in brackets, cubed." – Anonymous Jun 09 '20 at 03:52