Enter your prefix expression into the calculator to determine its result. Prefix notation, also known as Polish notation, is a way of writing mathematical expressions where the operator comes before its operands. This notation is particularly useful in computer science and mathematics for simplifying the parsing process.

Prefix Expression Evaluation Formula

The following process is used to evaluate a prefix expression.

Evaluate(expression) = Perform operation on operands

Variables:

  • Expression is the prefix expression to be evaluated
  • Operands are the numbers or variables involved in the expression
  • Operation is the arithmetic operation to be performed (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)

To evaluate the prefix expression, iterate over the tokens from right to left, pushing numbers onto a stack and performing operations as operators are encountered.

What is Prefix Expression Evaluation?

Prefix expression evaluation refers to the process of computing the value of a mathematical expression written in prefix notation. This involves parsing the expression from right to left, using a stack to keep track of operands and applying operators as they are encountered. Understanding prefix notation and its evaluation is crucial for various applications in computer science, such as compiler design and expression parsing.

How to Evaluate Prefix Expressions?

The following steps outline how to evaluate prefix expressions:


  1. Start by reading the expression from right to left.
  2. Push numbers onto a stack as they are encountered.
  3. When an operator is encountered, pop the required number of operands from the stack, perform the operation, and push the result back onto the stack.
  4. Continue until the entire expression has been parsed.
  5. The final result will be the single value remaining in the stack.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Prefix Expression: + 3 * 2 4

FAQ

1. What is prefix notation?

Prefix notation, also known as Polish notation