Glitch in the matrix - eviltoast
  • Are you for real?

    Yes, I’m a Maths teacher.

    A fraction is a shorthand for division with stronger (and therefore less ambiguous) order of operations

    I added emphasis to where you nearly had it.

    ½ is a single term. 1÷2 is 2 terms. Terms are separated by operators (division in this case) and joined by grouping symbols (fraction bars, brackets).

    1÷½=2

    1÷1÷2=½ (must be done left to right)

    Thus 1÷2 and ½ aren’t the same thing (they are equal in simple cases, but not the same thing), but ½ and (1÷2) are the same thing.