MHB Order of operations doubt on this expression

[mathlearn]

Let's say that we have this expression,

$\frac{1}{2}*2x*x-2$

So now solving this in one method we can

$\frac{1}{\cancel 2}*\cancel2x*x-2=x^2-2$

In another way

$\frac{1}{2}*2x*x-2=\frac{2x^2-2}{2}=x^2-1$

What is the reason that I get two different answers ? I hope that both ways are valid

Many THanks :)

 

[MarkFL]

The order of operations dictates that we do multiplication/division first before subtraction, so the first method is correct. The second method you used would be valid if we had:

$$\frac{1}{2}(2x\cdot x-2)$$