What is the difference between 25i*20i/5i and 25i*20i/(5i) in CMPLX mode?

[Nero26]

Hi all,
This is a little problem I'm unable to figure out, in CMPLX mode of my calculator 25i*20i/5i=-100i
But 25i*20i/(5i) = 100i, Here i=sqrt(-1). What is the difference between these two expressions?
Thanks for your help.

 

[CompuChip]

The difference is that 25i*20i/5i is interpreted as (25i*20i/5)i = (25i*20i/5)*i.
And 25i*20i/5 = -100.

 

[Nero26]

The difference is that 25i*20i/5i is interpreted as (25i*20i/5)i = (25i*20i/5)*i.
And 25i*20i/5 = -100.

Thanks a lot for your help, so 'i' is considered as a single complex number.

 

[Mark44]

Thanks a lot for your help, so 'i' is considered as a single complex number.

Well, yes, but that's not relevant here.

What Compuchip was talking about was the order of operations. It's the difference between -500/(5i) and (-500/5) * i.

When you write (or enter) -500/5i, the calculator is interpreting this as -500/5 * i.

 

[SteamKing]

In order to avoid ambiguity in expression evaluation, use parentheses in your expressions.

 

[Nero26]

Thanks to all. You all are of great help. I think I can learn a lot from PF.