I remade an equation-solver program from Java to C++, and I plan to post it soon but I would rather not until I can determine where modulus fits in with PEMDAS.

To those who don't know, PEMDAS is the order in which mathematical expressions are to be evaluated. The order is

-Paranthesis'
-Exponents
-Mulitplication and Division (same level)
-Addition and Substraction (same level)

so if I have an expression 2 + 3 * 5, according to PEMDAS, 3 * 5 must resolve first so the expression becomes 2 + 15, and the answer afterwards is 17.

Now my problem is that I don't know where Modulus fits in with PEMDAS.

Does it have higher or lower precedence than Multiplication/Division?

8 * 9 % 5 --- what should happen first? 8 * 9 or 9 % 5?

It matters because 8 * 9 first yields 72, and 72 % 5 yields 2 (because 5 subtracts into 72 fourteen times, but cannot subtract into 2 wholly, so 2 is the remainder).

If 9%5 occurs first, 4 is the result for that minor expression and 8 * 4 is 32 so the operator precedence does indeed matter.

I've done some looking up on Google and couldn't find an article to resolve this issue.

Here's my program as it is now--

/**
 * Numerics.cpp
 */
#ifndef NUMERICS
#define NUMERICS

#include <sstream>
#include <string>

using std::stringstream;
using std::string;

/**
 * Convenience class for enabling easy
 * conversions between strings and primitive types.
 *
 * This class is not meant to support non-primitive types,
 * but it should if target class Type has istream and ostream
 * operators overloaded.
 */
namespace Numerics{

	template<class T>
	class Numerical{
	
		private:
			T number;

		public:
			Numerical(T value = 0) : number(value){}
			Numerical(const string& arg){
				(*this)(arg);
			}

			/**
			 * Attempts to assign the argument value to the value
			 * of this Object's type.
			 * If the value is invalid, nothing happens.
			 */
			string operator()(const string& arg){
				stringstream ss (stringstream::in | stringstream::out);
				try{
					ss << arg;
					ss >> number;
				}catch(...){
					// currently unsupported
				}
				return ss.str();
			}

			/**
			 * Attempts to assign the argument value to the value of
			 * this Object's type.
			 */
			T operator()(T value){
				return (number = value);
			}

			/**
			 * Returns a string representation of this Object's number
			 */
			string getString(){
				stringstream ss (stringstream::in | stringstream::out);
				ss << number;
				return ss.str();
			}

			/**
			 * Returns a copy of this Object's number
			 */
			T getValue(){
				return number;
			}

			/**
			 * Extraction operator used to return the underlying value
			 * during operations assosciated with primitive types.
			 */
			operator T& (){
				return number;
			}

			/**
			 * const version of the above operator. Returns a copy
			 * of this Object's number.
			 */
			operator T () const{
				return number;
			}
	};

	/* Some meaningful typedefs for Numerical types */
	typedef Numerical<short> Short;
	typedef Numerical<unsigned short> U_Short;
	typedef Numerical<int> Integer;
	typedef Numerical<unsigned int> U_Integer;
	typedef Numerical<double> Double;
	typedef Numerical<float> Float;
	typedef Numerical<char> Byte;
	typedef Numerical<unsigned char> U_Byte;
	typedef Numerical<wchar_t> Wide_Byte;
	typedef Numerical<long int> Long;
	typedef Numerical<unsigned long int> U_Long;

	/* For non-standard types, like __int8, __int16, __int32, and __int64 */
	#ifdef ALLOW_NONSTANDARD_PRIMITIVE_TYPES

		#if (ALLOW_NONSTANDARD_PRIMITIVE_TYPES == 0x01)
			typedef Numerical < __int8 > __Int8;
			typedef Numerical < unsigned __int8 > U___Int8;
			typedef Numerical < __int16 > __Int16;
			typedef Numerical < unsigned __int16 > U___Int16;
			typedef Numerical < __int32 > __Int32;
			typedef Numerical < unsigned __int32 > U___Int32;
			typedef Numerical < __int64 > __Int64;
			typedef Numerical < unsigned __int64 > U___Int64;
		#endif

	#endif
}

#endif
/**
 * EquationSolver.h
 */

#ifndef EQUATION_SOLVER_H
#define EQUATION_SOLVER_H

#include <string>
#include <vector>

using std::string;
using std::vector;

namespace EquationHelper{

	class EquationSolver{
		private: 
			EquationSolver();
			static string doOperation(const string&, char, const string&);
			static void correctedString(string&);
			static void removeSpaces(string&);
			static string parse(const string&);
			static bool isSolvable(const string&);
			static void calculate(vector<string>&, vector<char>&, const string&);

		public:
			static string solve(const string&, int = 50);
	};
}
#include "EquationSolver.cpp"

#endif
/**
 * EquationSolver.cpp
 */

#ifdef EQUATION_SOLVER_H

#include <iostream>
#include <cmath>
#include <vector>
#include "Numerics.cpp"

using namespace EquationHelper;
using namespace Numerics;
using std::size_t;
using std::vector;
using std::string;
using std::cout;
using std::endl;
using std::ios;

typedef EquationSolver ES;

/**
 * Private constructor - does nothing.
 */
ES::EquationSolver(){}

/**
 * Performs the specified operation against the
 * argument strings. The operation is dependant on
 * the value of op.
 */
string ES::doOperation(const string& lhs, char op, const string& rhs){
	
	Double bdLhs = lhs;
	Double bdRhs = rhs;
	Double temp;
	switch(op){
		case '^':
			temp( pow( bdLhs, bdRhs ) );
			break;
		case '*':
			temp( bdLhs * bdRhs );
			break;
		case '/':
			temp( bdLhs / bdRhs );
			break;
		case '+':
			temp( bdLhs + bdRhs );
			break;
		case '%':
			temp( fmod(bdLhs, bdRhs) );
			break;
	}
	return temp.getString();
}

/**
 * Returns the string with its enclosing paranthesis
 * stripped from it.
 */
void ES::correctedString(string& arg){
	
	size_t pos1 = arg.find_first_of("(");
	size_t pos2 = arg.find_last_of(")");

	if(pos1 >= 0 && pos1 < arg.length() && pos2 >= 0 && pos2 <= arg.length())
		arg[pos1] = arg[pos2] = ' ';
}

/**
 * Remove spaces from the argument string.
 */
void ES::removeSpaces(string& argu){

	string temp = "";
	for(size_t i = 0; i < argu.length(); i++)
		if(argu[i] != ' ')
			temp += argu[i];	// only add non-space characters to temp
	argu = temp;
}

/**
 * The brains of the program.
 * Solves expressions by using recursion for complex expressions.
 */
string ES::parse(const string& param){
	
	string expression = param;
	correctedString(expression);
	removeSpaces(expression);	// Removes paranthesis and spaces from the String expression
	string finalExpression = "";	// Placeholder for the final String before values and operands are parsed

	bool operatorEncountered = true;	// Used to determine if the previous value encountered is an operand
	for(size_t i = 0; i < expression.length(); i++){	// for all of the characters in the String expression
		if(expression[i] == '('){	// if we encounter a left paranthesis, the value must be a nested expression
			string placeHolder = "(";	// to prevent problems determining during boolean expression-checks
			int valuesCounted = 1;		// i.e., when should we stop? When valuesCounted is 0?
			operatorEncountered = false;	// because this will evaluate to be a number, we don't want to consider
											// this char-expression to be an operand
			for(size_t j = i + 1; valuesCounted != 0; j++){	// We know that i has to be "(" and we've accounted for it, so i+1 is what we'll use
				if(expression[j] == '(')	// if we encounted a left paranthesis, increment count
					valuesCounted++;
				else if(expression[j] == ')')	// else if its a left paranthesis, decrement count
					valuesCounted--;

				placeHolder += expression[j];	// append the character to the expression
			}

			string evaluatedString = parse(placeHolder); // recursive call - evaluate the nested expression
			finalExpression += evaluatedString;	// append the evaluatedString to the finalExpression String
			i += (placeHolder.length() - 1); // the nested expression is already solved - force i to jump to non-redundant characters
		}else{
			if(expression[i] == '-' && operatorEncountered == false)	// if we encountered a minus sign and we didn't encounter any operands
																			// before it, changes the subtraction to plus a negative
				finalExpression += '+';

			finalExpression += expression[i];	// append the character to the expression
			if((expression[i] == '+'
			|| expression[i] == '/'
			|| expression[i] == '^'
			|| expression[i] == '*'
			|| expression[i] == '%'
			|| expression[i] == '-'))	// if we encounter a valid operand (including minus), flag operandEncountereed to be true
				operatorEncountered = true;
			else if(expression[i] != ' ')	// else if we dont encounter whitespace nor an operand, flag operand to be false
				operatorEncountered = false;
		}
	}

	removeSpaces(finalExpression);	// for safety measures, removing whitespace again
	string perfectExpression = "";	// I'm planning on storing a better version of the finalExpression here

	for(size_t i = 0; i < finalExpression.length(); i++){	// for every character in the String finalExpression
		if((i + 1) < finalExpression.length())	// to prevent overshooting the array, this measure is taken
			if(finalExpression[i] == '-' && finalExpression[i + 1] == '-')	// if there are two - chars next to each other
				i += 2;																		// ignore them.
		perfectExpression += finalExpression[i];	// append to the perfectExpression
	}
	finalExpression = perfectExpression;	// make finalExpression point to the same address as perfectExpression

	vector<string> totalNumbers;	// I'm planning to use this to store Number values (as Strings)
	vector<char> totalOperations;	// I'm planning to use this to store Operand values (as Characters)
	cout << finalExpression << endl;	// Technically a debug, but it adds a nice touch to the program.

	for(size_t i = 0; i < finalExpression.length(); i++){	// for every character in the finalExpression
		if(finalExpression[i] >= '0' && finalExpression[i] <= '9'
		|| finalExpression[i] == '-' || finalExpression[i] == '.'){	// if our character is part of a number
			string temp = "";	//
			for(size_t j = i; j < finalExpression.length(); j++){	// We're technically breaking good programming practice here--
																// I don't intend on traversing the entire String. We're breaking
																// out of this loop the moment a non-numeric character is encountered
				if(finalExpression[j] >= '0' && finalExpression[j] <= '9'
				|| finalExpression[j] == '-' || finalExpression[j] == '.'){
						temp += finalExpression[j];	// append to the temporary String
				}else break;
			}
			totalNumbers.push_back(temp);	// add our collected number to the ArrayList
			i += temp.length() == 0 ? 0 : (temp.length() - 1);	// we don't want to have redundancy, i.e.
																// if number 242 is analyzed, 242, 42 and 2 shouldn't be stored, just 242
																// so advance i past numbers already analyzed
		}else if(finalExpression[i] == '*'
			  || finalExpression[i] == '/'
			  || finalExpression[i] == '^'
			  || finalExpression[i] == '+'
			  || finalExpression[i] == '%'
			  ){	// If we run into an operand-character, store it in the operand list
			totalOperations.push_back(finalExpression[i]);
		}
	}

	ES::calculate(totalNumbers, totalOperations, "^");
	ES::calculate(totalNumbers, totalOperations, "*/%");
	ES::calculate(totalNumbers, totalOperations, "+");

	return totalNumbers[0];	// return the value remaining in the first position of the ArrayList
}

/**
 * Calculates the numbers in the first vector using the operands in the 2nd vector,
 * based on the expressions allowed which are determined by the string argument.
 */
void ES::calculate(vector<string>& totalNumbers, vector<char>& totalOperations, 
				   const string& arg){

	for(int i = 0; i < static_cast<int>(totalOperations.size()); i++){
		if( arg.find(totalOperations[i]) != arg.npos){
			totalNumbers[i] = doOperation(totalNumbers[i], totalOperations[i], totalNumbers[i + 1]);
			
			size_t oldNumberLength = totalNumbers.size();
			size_t oldOperatorLength = totalOperations.size();
			size_t nextNumberLength = oldNumberLength - 1;
			size_t nextOperatorLength = oldOperatorLength - 1;
			size_t sCount = 0;
			size_t oCount = 0;
			vector<string> temp1 ( nextNumberLength );
			vector<char> temp2 ( nextOperatorLength );
			
			for(size_t j = 0; j < oldNumberLength; j++){
				if(j != static_cast<int>(i + 1)){
					temp1[sCount++] = totalNumbers[j];
				}
				if(j != i && j < oldOperatorLength){
					temp2[oCount++] = totalOperations[j];
				}
			}
			totalNumbers = temp1;
			totalOperations = temp2;

			i--;
		}
	}
}

/**
 * Returns true if the equation is solvable (not really),
 * returns false otherwise.
 *
 * This function is truly a misnomer, because more restrictions
 * should be put in place.
 */
bool ES::isSolvable(const string& eq){
	
	int paranthesisCount = 0;	// assuming 0 paranthesis to begin with
	for(size_t i = 0; i < eq.length(); i++){	// for every char in the String eq
		if(eq[i] == '(')	// if the element is a left paranthesis
			paranthesisCount++;	// increment the paranthesisCount
		else if(eq[i] == ')')	// else if the element is a right paranthesis
			paranthesisCount--;	// decrement the paranthesisCount

		if(paranthesisCount < 0)	// if brackets aren't in correct order, return false
			return false;
	}
	return paranthesisCount == 0;	// return true if paranthesisCount is zero, otherwise return false
}

/**
 * An attempt to solve a string-expression, given
 * a precision value.
 */
string ES::solve(const string& eq, int prec){

	if(isSolvable(eq)){

		stringstream ss (stringstream::in | stringstream::out);
		cout << eq << endl;	// Prints out the equation before it is parsed
		string value;

		value += '(';
		value += eq;
		value += ')';
		
		ss.setf(0, ios::floatfield);
		ss.precision(prec);
		ss << parse(value);

		return ss.str(); //	returning the final value of the expression
	}else return "";
}

#endif
/**
 * DriverProgram.cpp
 */

/****************************************
 * @Author: Mark Alexander Edwards Jr.
 *
 * This program uses a utility class to solve
 * complex equations represented by string 
 * expressions
 ****************************************/
#include <iostream>
#include <ctime>
#include <string>
#include "Numerics.cpp"
#include "EquationSolver.h"

using std::cin;
using std::cout;
using std::endl;
using std::flush;
using std::string;
using namespace Numerics;
using namespace EquationHelper;

int main(){
	
	cout << ES::solve("5 + 3 * (8 - 4)") << endl << endl;
	cout << ES::solve("12 / (3 * 4) + 5") << endl << endl;

	while(true){
		cout << "Enter an equation you would \nlike to solve (enter 'exit' to quit): " << flush;
		try{
			string temp;
			getline(cin, temp);
			clock_t t1 = clock();
			if(temp.compare("exit") == 0) exit(0);
			cout << "Answer: " + ES::solve(temp, 4) << endl;
			clock_t t2 = clock();
			cout << "\nTime taken to calculate value: " <<
				(t2-t1) << " Clock cycles" <<endl;
		}catch(...){
			cout << "Invalid expression! Please try again!" << endl;
		}
	}

	cin.ignore();
	cin.get();
	return 0;
}

When in doubt, write a program! It's faster and more accurate than research. I did this on Dev C++, but is it a reasonable assumption that it's the same everywhere?

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main ()
{
    int a = 8 * 9 % 5;
    cout << a << endl;
    a = 10 % 3 * 2;
    cout << a << endl;
    cin.get ();
    return 0;
}

Answers are 2 and 2, so it looks like * and % have equal precedence, so left takes precedence over right, as with multiply and divide. Thus you need another choice in your poll. It's one of the reasons I never liked "PEMDAS". If all you remember is the acronym, you always multiply before dividing, which is wrong, and you always add before subtracting, which is also wrong. So I think it's:

PE[MD%][AS]

Operations inside the brackets have the same precedence.

When in doubt, write a program! It's faster and more accurate than research.

ummm....

google seems to quickly turn up a bunch of results for this question, e.g. http://www.cppreference.com/wiki/operator_precedence
You're right, division/multiplication/modulus all have equal precedence.

... It's one of the reasons I never liked "PEMDAS". If all you remember is the acronym, you always multiply before dividing, which is wrong, and you always add before subtracting, which is also wrong.

I agree, if you multiply before dividing, the answer may be wrong, as in e.g. 2 / 5 * 9
Likewise, if you add before subtracting, e.g. 2 - 5 + 9

However, reversing the above should result in correct answers always: PEDMSA (doesn't really roll off the tongue anymore though)

I'm pretty sure you'll have to use the left-to-right rule for operators where there is >2 operators having equal precedence (i.e. when you add modulus to the mix).

Now I'm curious...

When would it ever matter if you multiplied before dividing or subtract before adding?

Multiplication and division are technically the same.

Your expression 2 / 5 * 9 is the same as 2 * .2 * 9 so why in the world would it matter if you multiplied first instead of dividing?

Maybe it's because you're using int division?

The same argument exists for subtracting and adding. 2 - 5 + 9 is the same as 2 + -5 + 9 which will yield the same results despite whether you add or subtract first.

Are you using unsigned types?


And if modulus has equal precedence then I suppose my program is technically correct, but I would like it to have either stronger or weaker precedence before MD or after MD.

And Vernon I know you are the mathy-type so I am looking over your post carefully, trying to understand what you mean when you say I need a third option (i.e. Modulus before Division but after Multiplication), when M and D are technically the same?

-Alex

Bah nevermind, I'll keep it as it is. Thanks for confirming the precedence of modulus!

Now I'm curious...

When would it ever matter if you multiplied before dividing or subtract before adding?

Multiplication and division are technically the same.

Your expression 2 / 5 * 9 is the same as 2 * .2 * 9 so why in the world would it matter if you multiplied first instead of dividing?

Maybe it's because you're using int division?

The same argument exists for subtracting and adding. 2 - 5 + 9 is the same as 2 + -5 + 9 which will yield the same results despite whether you add or subtract first.

Are you using unsigned types?


And if modulus has equal precedence then I suppose my program is technically correct, but I would like it to have either stronger or weaker precedence before MD or after MD.

And Vernon I know you are the mathy-type so I am looking over your post carefully, trying to understand what you mean when you say I need a third option (i.e. Modulus before Division but after Multiplication), when M and D are technically the same?

-Alex

Consider 2 - 5 + 9 and 9 / 3 * 3

(2 - 5) + 9 is different from 2 - (5 + 9)
(9 / 3) * 3 is different from 9 / (3 * 3)

If + and - have equal precedence, and so do * and /, then the left implementations are the correct implementations. If * outranks / and + outranks -, then the implementations on the right are the correct implementations.

Since they DO have equal precedence, 2 - 5 + 9 = (2 - 5) + 9 and
9 / 3 * 3 = (9 / 3) * 3.

It has nothing to do with the fact that they are integers. The option you need in your poll that you don't have is "Multiply, divide, and mod all have the same precedence", which is the correct answer. Thus, what operation occurs first depends on their order from left to right in the term, as the example below:

9 / 3 * 3 = (9 / 3) * 3

Division comes first since the / is to the left of the *.

commented: Thanks for the clerification! =) +4

Ah! After bending my mind trying to migrate code from one language to another, I completely overlooked this.

Thanks! =)

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