48÷2 (9+3) argument

doobyscoo said:
It's 2.

48 . = 2
2(9+3)
Click to expand...

Nope... left to right people, left to right....
48/2(9+3)
Now I'm sure we all agree we do the brackets first (BODMAS or PEMDAS)
48/2(12)
Now we're left with only multiplication and division operators, which are at the same level right (BODMAS = BOMDAS = PEMDAS = PEDMAS)? Everyone agree? So at this point you go left to right...
24(12)
288

The end
 
As another forumite has pointed out:

v2u4rd.jpg
 
Archer said:
Nope... left to right people, left to right....
48/2(9+3)
Now I'm sure we all agree we do the brackets first (BODMAS or PEMDAS)
48/2(12)
Now we're left with only multiplication and division operators, which are at the same level right (BODMAS = BOMDAS = PEMDAS = PEDMAS)? Everyone agree? So at this point you go left to right...
24(12)
288

The end
Click to expand...

Actually
2(9+3) = is short for (2*9 + 2*3) = 24
 
Archer said:
Nope... left to right people, left to right....
48/2(9+3)
Now I'm sure we all agree we do the brackets first (BODMAS or PEMDAS)
48/2(12)
Now we're left with only multiplication and division operators, which are at the same level right (BODMAS = BOMDAS = PEMDAS = PEDMAS)? Everyone agree? So at this point you go left to right...
24(12)
288

The end
Click to expand...

The 2 is part of the bracket operation.
 
I would say the answer is undefined. BODMAS \ PEMDAS, etc aren't mathematical "rules". They're general guidelines to help people solve calculations unambiguously.

This equation was clearly designed to be ambiguous (most mathematicians will evaluate the 2 as part of the brackets and get 2 as a final answer, while following the BODMAS guidelines will get 288).
 
I think this sufficiently illustrates the banality of this exercise:
16h6ja8.jpg


Have some Algebra Help, the lot of you :p :
This standard is critical to simplifying and solving different algebra problems. Without it, two different people may interpret an equation or expression in different ways and come up with different answers. The Order of Operations is:
  1. Parentheses and Brackets -- Simplify the inside of parentheses and brackets before you deal with the exponent (if any) of the set of parentheses or remove the parentheses.
  2. Exponents -- Simplify the exponent of a number or of a set of parentheses before you multiply, divide, add, or subtract it.
  3. Multiplication and Division -- Simplify multiplication and division in the order that they appear from left to right.
  4. Addition and Subtraction -- Simplify addition and subtraction in the order that they appear from left to right.

Which leads to:
48 ÷ 2 * (9+3)=
48 ÷ 2 * (12)=
48 ÷ 2 * 12=
24 * 12=
288
 
Archer said:
So basically, you want to do multiplication before the brackets - thats the only way you get (2*9 +2*3)
BODMAS.......
Brackets first!
Click to expand...

Yes. First you do what's inside then you multiply what's directly outside the brackets, with what's inside.

think of it like this: 48/2(9+3) = 48/{(9+3)+(9+3)} = 2
 
If you put the equation into a scientific calculator, exactly as is, you get 2.

2(9+3) is a single term, and must be treated as such. You're dividing 48 by a single term.
 
HapticSimian said:
I think this sufficiently illustrates the banality of this exercise:
16h6ja8.jpg


Have some Algebra Help, the lot of you :p :
This standard is critical to simplifying and solving different algebra problems. Without it, two different people may interpret an equation or expression in different ways and come up with different answers. The Order of Operations is:

  1. [*]Parentheses and Brackets -- Simplify the inside of parentheses and brackets before you deal with the exponent (if any) of the set of parentheses or remove the parentheses.
  2. Exponents -- Simplify the exponent of a number or of a set of parentheses before you multiply, divide, add, or subtract it.
  3. Multiplication and Division -- Simplify multiplication and division in the order that they appear from left to right.
  4. Addition and Subtraction -- Simplify addition and subtraction in the order that they appear from left to right.

Which leads to:
48 ÷ 2 * (9+3)=
48 ÷ 2 * (12)=
48 ÷ 2 * 12=
24 * 12=
288
Click to expand...

Distribution in Algebra (For Dummies :D)
a(b + c) = a × b + a × c

That rule you quoted applies to terms with exponents - denoted by superscript
 
Last edited:
Qwikslver said:
Yes. First you do what's inside then you multiply what's directly outside the brackets, with what's inside.

think of it like this: 48/2(9+3) = 48/{(9+3)+(9+3)} = 2
Click to expand...

You have once again given multiplication higher precedence over brackets...? Where does is day in the rules that the 2 belongs to the brackets? Nowhere...

But again, it shows why this "÷" is a silly symbol to use
You should always write it as
x
y

Then this cant be confused
 
KalMaverick said:
Ok first off what I want to say is



I disagree.

2.(9+3) , 2x(9+3) , 2*(9+3) all equal 2x1(9+3) right?

2(9+3) however is not the same as the 2 here is replacing the 1 in the above. Thus in my opinion forming part of the brackets.

The answer then will be 2 following BODMAS. As it is part of the brackets.

The others will be apart from the brackets and that's why you get 288.

The Casio fx-82ES PLUS gets both answers. 2 by using the exact equation in the title and 288 by using a x sign.
Click to expand...

Correct.
 
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