Polymathic
Honorary Master
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Uhm I did standard grade maths in matric, I don't get what you saying?
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48÷2 (9+3) argument
- Thread starter Helghast
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^^ This
Mike Hoxbig
Honorary Master
This back and forth arguing is daft. Let's all just agree that ambiguous, single line equations add little value.
If we're going to insist on a single line equation, then it should either be (48/2)(9+3) or 42/(2(9+3)).
/end
If we're going to insist on a single line equation, then it should either be (48/2)(9+3) or 42/(2(9+3)).
/end
SaiyanZ
Executive Member
This still went on for a while.. The answer is 2. End of story.
You always got to open up brackets first before any multiplication or division.
48/2(9+3) = 48/24 = 2
If the equation was 48/2*(9+3) then the answer would be 288.
You always got to open up brackets first before any multiplication or division.
48/2(9+3) = 48/24 = 2
If the equation was 48/2*(9+3) then the answer would be 288.
marine1
Honorary Master
Having a number outside of brackets automatically indicates * no?
Rosaudio
First Officer
Yup
marine1
Honorary Master
Then Saiyanz is wrong
Dixie
NSFW
Lol! This is going on!? 
I'm going for the ambiguous layout of the problem, but I must admit that I got 288.
I presented the problem to my niece (grade 11, proper maths) expecting the same answer as mine but she started, without hesitation, to solve the brackets first by multiplying the 2 outside the brackets with the 3 and 9 inside the brackets, leaving her with the answer of 2
I'm going for the ambiguous layout of the problem, but I must admit that I got 288.
I presented the problem to my niece (grade 11, proper maths) expecting the same answer as mine but she started, without hesitation, to solve the brackets first by multiplying the 2 outside the brackets with the 3 and 9 inside the brackets, leaving her with the answer of 2
Rosaudio
First Officer
SaiyanZ
Executive Member
It implies a *, yes. Nonetheless, you have to open up the brackets first. Otherwise there would be no need to ever mention brackets in the rules. Just division, multiplication etc.
marine1
Honorary Master
Yip I am with you on this. They are the ones who are wrong
SaiyanZ
Executive Member
That page doesn't really prove anything. Just shows that the calculators and google automatically put in a * before the bracket because the question is ambiguous.
The snippet on the left also doesn't have any example like the OP equation.
By the way...I am probably the biggest math geek around. So I know my stuff.
100% for maths in grade 11 and grade 12. 100% also for additional mathematics in grade 12. 100% for mathematics in 1st year university in both 1st and 2nd semesters. So yeah
marine1
Honorary Master
Sorry but I will take Google over anyone here any time of any dayBy the way...I am probably the biggest math geek around. So I know my stuff.
100% for maths in grade 11 and grade 12. 100% also for additional mathematics in grade 12. 100% for mathematics in 1st year university in both 1st and 2nd semesters. So yeah
Maths genius or not.That page doesn't really prove anything. Just shows that the calculators and google automatically put in a * before the bracket because the question is ambiguous.
The snippet on the left also doesn't have any example like the OP equation.
By the way...I am probably the biggest math geek around. So I know my stuff.
100% for maths in grade 11 and grade 12. 100% also for additional mathematics in grade 12. 100% for mathematics in 1st year university in both 1st and 2nd semesters. So yeah
So why on earth would you multiply 12 by 2 before dividing 48 by 2 (in order to get the answer 2)? Yes the brackets need to be opened first - then you are left with 48/2(12). This remaining bracket/parenthesis indicates multiplication and not a further parenthetical expression. Therefore you now divide and multiply left to right. 48 / 2 * 12 = 288.
Simple
The question is not ambiguous if you apply the correct principles.
Freshy-ZN
Executive Member
I cannot boast the same results as SaiyanZ (enviable, I might add!) but I agree the answer is 2. The problem here is that people are adding a multiplier between the 2 and the bracket. While it is true that 2(x) is the same as 2*(x), when there are other parts to the problem and the * is ommitted then it needs to be considered as part of the bracket section ie: 48/(2(9+3)).
I sincerely hope this problem is only an example of how half the world can misinterpret a problem and isnt part of a missile launch program or something.......
I sincerely hope this problem is only an example of how half the world can misinterpret a problem and isnt part of a missile launch program or something.......
Ekstasis
Honorary Master
Yeah, I did argue with you before on this matter. However since looking at all the arguments here I have to agree
SaiyanZ
Executive Member
So why on earth would you multiply 12 by 2 before dividing 48 by 2 (in order to get the answer 2)? Yes the brackets need to be opened first - then you are left with 48/2(12). This remaining bracket/parenthesis indicates multiplication and not a further parenthetical expression. Therefore you now divide and multiply left to right. 48 / 2 * 12 = 288.
Simple
Opening the brackets does not mean only adding up what's inside. It also includes the multiplication of 2(12). There are still brackets left after you add up 9+3. So have to work out 2(12) before anything else.
It's like saying x/x(y) = y ...This is wrong.
x/x(y) = 1/y ...since we open up the brackets first.
I must say though that it's best to use more brackets in formulae like this to avoid any confusion.