48÷2(9+3) = ??? -- VOTE!! Poll Added

[ffgameman]

My former high school algebra/calculus teacher went with 288, stating multiplication/division from left-to-right.

I went with 2.

 

[rehmus]

new sig

 

[tonsofcommons]

Just when I thought this thread was going to DIE!!!!

 

[jeff550]

Its 288, using PEMDAS it breaks down like this

48/2(9+3)

48/2*12

24*12=288

Multiply and Divide and equal, just like Add and Subtract. you go in the order of the problem, not multiply then divide

If you used PEMDAS it would be 2*12 not 48/2 therefore giving you 2. ::facepalm::

No, Multiply and Divide go by the order of the problem, not Multiply then divide ::facepalm::

 

[jbhofmann]

new sig

Matt Damon would not approve of your sig.

 

[Mr.1989]

8========================================D

Well saying 8 = D just makes you look like a *******.

No, saying 8=D makes him look like a d***.

Well, if you tilt your head to the right, you will see an image similar to that of a *****.
While if you turn your head to the left, you will see and image similar to that of a face smiling.

 

[Austin]

 

[rehmus]

new sig

Matt Damon would not approve of your sig.

were that true, matt damon would be very bad at math.

 

[maxpower]

The answer is 288. Multiplication & division are on the same level for order of operation & you work left to right.

Edit: for those using PEMDAS, it's more like PE(MD)(AS) where the M&D and A&S are each interchangeable.

This is the definitive answer and explanation. I can't believe the thread went 14 pages beyond here.

If your 7th grade math teacher Mr. Crapbottom taught you PEMDAS instead of PE(MD)(AS), then you learned it wrong. Not your fault, but emphatically posting "2 is the right answer because of PEMDAS" doesn't change the actual rule.

 

[hive17]

Is it the same problem if it's written like this:

48
______
2(9+3)

Because THAT is "2"

Even if you follow PEMDAS, it's still 2. Fundamentally, it's the same math problem, but clearly a different answer.

 

[thelesquad]

Is it the same problem if it's written like this:

48
______
2(9+3)

Because THAT is "2"

Even if you follow PEMDAS, it's still 2. Fundamentally, it's the same math problem, but clearly a different answer.

No, it's not! That does not equal 48÷2(9+3). That equals 48÷(2(9+3)).

 

[marterburn]

Is it the same problem if it's written like this:

48
______
2(9+3)

Because THAT is "2"

Even if you follow PEMDAS, it's still 2. Fundamentally, it's the same math problem, but clearly a different answer.

No, it's not! That does not equal 48÷2(9+3). That equals 48÷(2(9+3)).

...and you're assuming it's (48÷2)(9+3). It's an unclear equation. You have to add a parenthesis where you think it should be to evaluate the equation.

 

[thelesquad]

Is it the same problem if it's written like this:

48
______
2(9+3)

Because THAT is "2"

Even if you follow PEMDAS, it's still 2. Fundamentally, it's the same math problem, but clearly a different answer.

No, it's not! That does not equal 48÷2(9+3). That equals 48÷(2(9+3)).

...and you're assuming it's (48÷2)(9+3). It's an unclear equation. You have to add a parenthesis where you think it should be to evaluate the equation.

Not if you're properly following the order of operation. 48÷2(9+3) = 48÷2x(9+3) = (48÷2)(9+3)

 

[scotty21690]

2(9+3) = 24
48 = 48
48/24 = 2

 

[thelesquad]

2(9+3) = 24
48 = 48
48/24 = 2

All that is true, but your order of operations is not.

 

[Field Level View]

The way I always learned it was 'My Dear Aunt Sally' or 'Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract'. Of course, when you put something in parenthesis that takes precedence.

48÷2(9+3)

So: 9+3 is first, for 12. Which leaves 48 divided by 2 times 12. Since Multiply is first, 2 * 12 = 24. 48 / 24 = 2.

 

[thelesquad]

The way I always learned it was 'My Dear Aunt Sally' or 'Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract'. Of course, when you put something in parenthesis that takes precedence.

48÷2(9+3)

So: 9+3 is first, for 12. Which leaves 48 divided by 2 times 12. Since Multiply is first, 2 * 12 = 24. 48 / 24 = 2.

This is where the misconception is. Multiplication only comes before division if it's to the left of the division. They are equal in the order, as are addition and subtraction.

 

[RL24]

I have asked 10 random strangers to solve the problem over the last two days.


288 = 8
2 = 2




I just wanted to let you guys know I hang out with smart people.



They aren't rich like Chris Levy, but.... they're smart.

 

[TBTwinsFan]

Gave the problem to my parents:

Mom: 288
Dad: 2

It got taken to the school (not by me, by someone else) and entered....

THE MATH DEPARTMENT (dun dun dun)


In which, the 2 math teachers (as well as another person, very smart at math)

All of whom said 2 to begin with, then changed the answer to 288

Who knew this math problem would be so "complicated?"

 

[Mozzie22]

Who gives a **** what the answer is, let this die.