Evaluate String as an Expression

[dprevite]

Is there a way for PHP to take a string like "1+2" and find the answer? Something like eval($expression);

It would need to be able to some more complicated math, but not too complicated. (2^3)/4 would be about as complicated as it got.

[tserbis]

Try eval('echo 2+2;');

[Sharif]

Well wouldn't the variable:

$numbers = 1+2;

already hold the answer? If you did:

echo $numbers;

, wouldn't it return 3?

[qo2o]

i think he means if you had a user input a string like 2+4 or 4/2 or something.