48÷2(9+3) = ??? -- VOTE!! Poll Added

[Jurgy25]

If you are doing it by PEMDAS that's where most are getting 2.

1. (9+3)= 12
2. Do not multiple 2 and 12 yet, you need to divide 48 and 2 because after parenthesis and exponents, you go left from right.
3. 24x12=288

 

[reljac]

There is no debate that the answer is 288.. Math is mostly black and white and follows distinct rules.

48÷2(9+3) = 288 (this is the original question)
48/2(9+3) = 2 (this is what may seem to be perceiving the question to indicate which it does not, at least I'd perceive this to show everything that follows as the denominator)

 

[cartersprings]

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.

 

[Jaypers]

 

[alexs64]

Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 1: 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 Parentheses
Step 2: 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 Multiplication
Step 3: 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 18 - 7 Division
Step 4: 3 + 18 - 7 = 21 - 7 Addition
Step 5: 21 - 7 = 14 Subtraction

SOOOO

48÷2 x (9+3) ("x" sign put in for clarification)

Step 1- (9+3)= 12
Step 2- 2 x 12= 24
Step 3- 48÷24

Answer- 2

/thread

Thank you...I knew I should have shown my work...But it is THAT simple. Whoever said 288 must be doing Canadian math!!

 

[vwnut13]

48÷2(9+3)

is NOT the same as....

(48÷2)(9+3)

...Parenthesis...Exponents...Multiplication...Division...Addition...Subtraction...

Parenthesis are done first, and you can't just ADD parenthesis wherever you want.

 

[tonsofcommons]

48÷2(9+3)

is NOT the same as....

(48÷2)(9+3)

...Parenthesis...Exponents...Multiplication...Division...Addition...Subtraction...

Try this, distribute the 2 into the parenthesis.....

2(9+3) = 18 + 6 = 24
48 ÷ 24 = 2

Parenthesis are done first, and you can't just ADD parenthesis wherever you want.

Thanked!

 

[cartersprings]

::facepalm::
Wow, this is funny.

 

[reljac]

Thank you...I knew I should have shown my work...But it is THAT simple. Whoever said 288 must be doing Canadian math!!

I hate to point out, but that work is incorrect.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops.htm

A common technique for remembering the order of operations is the abbreviation "PEMDAS", which is turned into the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". It stands for "Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction". This tells you the ranks of the operations: Parentheses outrank exponents, which outrank multiplication and division (but multiplication and division are at the same rank), and these two outrank addition and subtraction (which are together on the bottom rank). When you have a bunch of operations of the same rank, you just operate from left to right. For instance, 15 ÷ 3 × 4 is not 15 ÷ 12, but is rather 5 × 4, because, going from left to right, you get to the division first. If you're not sure of this, test it in your calculator, which has been programmed with the Order of Operations hierarchy.

 

[gracecollector]

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/operations-order-calculator.html

288

Barbie says "Math is hard!"

I'm of the multiplication and division are equal rank in PEDMAS, so work left to right. Division before multiplication in this case.

 

[GiantsSuperCollector]

It is 288, division is just reverse multiplication therefore they are the same thing...you are supposed to do it left to right multiplication and division.

 

[cartersprings]

Thank you...I knew I should have shown my work...But it is THAT simple. Whoever said 288 must be doing Canadian math!!

I hate to point out, but that work is incorrect.

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops.htm

A common technique for remembering the order of operations is the abbreviation "PEMDAS", which is turned into the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". It stands for "Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction". This tells you the ranks of the operations: Parentheses outrank exponents, which outrank multiplication and division (but multiplication and division are at the same rank), and these two outrank addition and subtraction (which are together on the bottom rank). When you have a bunch of operations of the same rank, you just operate from left to right. For instance, 15 ÷ 3 × 4 is not 15 ÷ 12, but is rather 5 × 4, because, going from left to right, you get to the division first. If you're not sure of this, test it in your calculator, which has been programmed with the Order of Operations hierarchy.

THANK YOU! Exactly what I was trying to say.

 

[alexs64]

There is no debate that the answer is 288.. Math is mostly black and white and follows distinct rules.

48÷2(9+3) = 288 (this is the original question)
48/2(9+3) = 2 (this is what may seem to be perceiving the question to indicate which it does not, at least I'd perceive this to show everything that follows as the denominator)

WOW!!! Just WOW!!!!

How do you NOT just do what is in Parens first? How do you skip the first part of PEMDAS?

 

[jumbojohnny]

There is no debate that the answer is 288.. Math is mostly black and white and follows distinct rules.

48÷2(9+3) = 288 (this is the original question)
48/2(9+3) = 2 (this is what may seem to be perceiving the question to indicate which it does not, at least I'd perceive this to show everything that follows as the denominator)

WOW!!! Just WOW!!!!

How do you NOT just do what is in Parens first? How do you skip the first part of PEMDAS?

THANK YOU!

 

[reljac]

So here's the funny part... everyone is right and everyone is wrong...

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops2.htm

This next example displays an issue that almost never arises but, when it does, there seems to be no end to the arguing.

Simplify 16 ÷ 2[8 – 3(4 – 2)] + 1.
16 ÷ 2[8 – 3(4 – 2)] + 1
= 16 ÷ 2[8 – 3(2)] + 1
= 16 ÷ 2[8 – 6] + 1
= 16 ÷ 2[2] + 1 (**)
= 16 ÷ 4 + 1
= 4 + 1
= 5

The confusing part in the above calculation is how "16 divided by 2[2] + 1" (in the line marked with the double-star) becomes "16 divided by 4 + 1", instead of "8 times by 2 + 1". That's because, even though multiplication and division are at the same level (so the left-to-right rule should apply), parentheses outrank division, so the first 2 goes with the [2], rather than with the "16 divided by". That is, multiplication that is indicated by placement against parentheses (or brackets, etc) is "stronger" than "regular" multiplication. Typesetting the entire problem in a graphing calculator verifies this hierarchy:

<See link for image>

Note that different software will process this differently; even different models of Texas Instruments graphing calculators will process this differently. In cases of ambiguity, be very careful of your parentheses, and make your meaning clear. The general consensus among math people is that "multiplication by juxtaposition" (that is, multiplying by just putting things next to each other, rather than using the "×" sign) indicates that the juxtaposed values must be multiplied together before processing other operations. But not all software is programmed this way, and sometimes teachers view things differently. If in doubt, ask!

(And please do not send me an e-mail either asking for or else proffering a definitive verdict on this issue. As far as I know, there is no such final verdict. And telling me to do this your way will not solve the issue!)

 

[chisox2008]

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 correct. First you do (9+3)=12 then since multiplication and division are interchangeable in the order of operations, you do which ever comes first in the problem - which is 48/2=24, then you do 24*(12) and get 288.

48÷2(9+3)
48÷2(12)
24(12)
288

 

[jwc9p]

Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 1: 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 Parentheses
Step 2: 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 Multiplication
Step 3: 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 18 - 7 Division
Step 4: 3 + 18 - 7 = 21 - 7 Addition
Step 5: 21 - 7 = 14 Subtraction

SOOOO

48÷2 x (9+3) ("x" sign put in for clarification)

Step 1- (9+3)= 12
Step 2- 2 x 12= 24
Step 3- 48÷24

Answer- 2

/thread

Thank you...I knew I should have shown my work...But it is THAT simple. Whoever said 288 must be doing Canadian math!!

You did multiplication first in the example because, like many have already stated, you work from left to right when doing multiplication and division. Therefore, the answer is not 2, and is clearly 288 because you would do the division first leaving you with 24 x 12 (x "sign" put in for clarification)= 288

 

[alexs64]

So here's the funny part... everyone is right and everyone is wrong...

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops2.htm

This next example displays an issue that almost never arises but, when it does, there seems to be no end to the arguing.

Simplify 16 ÷ 2[8 – 3(4 – 2)] + 1.
16 ÷ 2[8 – 3(4 – 2)] + 1
= 16 ÷ 2[8 – 3(2)] + 1
= 16 ÷ 2[8 – 6] + 1
= 16 ÷ 2[2] + 1 (**)
= 16 ÷ 4 + 1
= 4 + 1
= 5

The confusing part in the above calculation is how "16 divided by 2[2] + 1" (in the line marked with the double-star) becomes "16 divided by 4 + 1", instead of "8 times by 2 + 1". That's because, even though multiplication and division are at the same level (so the left-to-right rule should apply), parentheses outrank division, so the first 2 goes with the [2], rather than with the "16 divided by". That is, multiplication that is indicated by placement against parentheses (or brackets, etc) is "stronger" than "regular" multiplication. Typesetting the entire problem in a graphing calculator verifies this hierarchy:

<See link for image>

Note that different software will process this differently; even different models of Texas Instruments graphing calculators will process this differently. In cases of ambiguity, be very careful of your parentheses, and make your meaning clear. The general consensus among math people is that "multiplication by juxtaposition" (that is, multiplying by just putting things next to each other, rather than using the "×" sign) indicates that the juxtaposed values must be multiplied together before processing other operations. But not all software is programmed this way, and sometimes teachers view things differently. If in doubt, ask!

(And please do not send me an e-mail either asking for or else proffering a definitive verdict on this issue. As far as I know, there is no such final verdict. And telling me to do this your way will not solve the issue!)

THIS ^^^

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 1: 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 Parentheses
Step 2: 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 Multiplication
Step 3: 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 18 - 7 Division
Step 4: 3 + 18 - 7 = 21 - 7 Addition
Step 5: 21 - 7 = 14 Subtraction

SOOOO

48÷2 x (9+3) ("x" sign put in for clarification)

Step 1- (9+3)= 12
Step 2- 2 x 12= 24
Step 3- 48÷24

Answer- 2

/thread

Thank you...I knew I should have shown my work...But it is THAT simple. Whoever said 288 must be doing Canadian math!!

You did multiplication first in the example because, like many have already stated, you work from left to right when doing multiplication and division. Therefore, the answer is not 2, and is clearly 288 because you would do the division first leaving you with 24 x 12 (x "sign" put in for clarification)= 288

I was under the impression that all parens and brackets must be completely resolved, and simple substitution of 3(2) with 3x2 is not allowed as the parens still have to be resolved...therefore to 6.

NOTE: The last math class I took was when I was a freshman in college...1991 and math can change.

 

[jwc9p]

Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 using the order of operations.

Solution: Step 1: 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 Parentheses
Step 2: 3 + 6 x 9 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 Multiplication
Step 3: 3 + 54 ÷ 3 - 7 = 3 + 18 - 7 Division
Step 4: 3 + 18 - 7 = 21 - 7 Addition
Step 5: 21 - 7 = 14 Subtraction

SOOOO

48÷2 x (9+3) ("x" sign put in for clarification)

Step 1- (9+3)= 12
Step 2- 2 x 12= 24
Step 3- 48÷24

Answer- 2

/thread

Thank you...I knew I should have shown my work...But it is THAT simple. Whoever said 288 must be doing Canadian math!!

You did multiplication first in the example because, like many have already stated, you work from left to right when doing multiplication and division. Therefore, the answer is not 2, and is clearly 288 because you would do the division first leaving you with 24 x 12 (x "sign" put in for clarification)= 288

I was under the impression that all parens and brackets must be completely resolved, and simple substitution of 3(2) with 3x2 is not allowed as the parens still have to be resolved...therefore to 6.

NOTE: The last math class I took was when I was a freshman in college...1991 and math can change.

Who knows. I am probably wrong as well. Thats why I am studying to take a test on an even worse subject....the LSAT