Operator Precedence question ( 1994 CS GRE exam)

[crunchybumble]

This comes from the '94 exam:

20)

2 + 3 * 4 - 5

Assume that subtraction has precedence over addition and multiplication, which are of equal precedence. Also assume that operators of equal precedence are evaluated from left to right. What is the value of the expression above?

(A) -5
(B) -1
(C) 0
(D) 9
(E) 15

I selected (A), but the answer key(s) I've consulted all suggest that (C) is the correct answer. Would someone please walk me through how (C) is correct?

Also, if there is a document of answers and explanations to this exam floating around, I would appreciate a link or a copy.

Best

[quintus]

The answer is -5... are you sure you haven't made a mistake reading the answer key? Also, i didn't think they has the CS-GRE back in '94...

[CalmLogic]

The answer is -5...

I agree, but I was a psychology major during my undergrad

Also, i didn't think they has the CS-GRE back in '94...

They had it even during the late 1980s, if not earlier.

[Enigma211]

Precedence: Subtraction over addition and multiplication
Left to right
((2 + 3) * (4 - 5))
(5*-1)
-5

-5 seems to be the right answer.

[quintus]

Originally Posted by CalmLogic

I agree, but I was a psychology major during my undergrad

They had it even during the late 1980s, if not earlier.

Ah. Somehow I was under the impression the subject tests were started around 2000.