48÷2(9+3) = ????

[Sugarphreak]

...

[962 kid]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Ok do you agree with this?

2Y/2Y= 1

Because following your logic that this is equal to 2*Y/2*Y... which equals Y squared, and not 1

The brackets (or lack of spaces with a variable) make it a term, therefore in the original question the term is 2(9+3), making the entire thing the denominator.

Depends if your Y is representing a number or a number inside of brackets, as your earlier substitutions were (which is why I didn't like your substitutions). You can add parenthesis to that equation to make it equal different things... that's the whole point, and it's why the order of operations exists. Adding brackets in the wrong place changes the equation.

2Y/2Y = (2Y)/(2Y) = 1
2(Y)/2(Y) = Y^2

The original question has 3 terms : 48, 2, and (9+3). 2 and (9+3) are separate terms because the way the question is written, the 2 is involved in an operation that the (9+3) isn't. As they're separate terms, you continue simplifying left to right.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[962 kid]

replace it with a slash then... makes no difference haha it means the same thing

[M.alex]

I'm not reading through all these pages but it's 288 - anybody who disagrees can go f*k themselves

<~ stats/actuarial science degree

[dj_patm]

This thread is beautiful.

Some people take basic math oversights WAY TOO SERIOUSLY.

OMG You can't remember something you learned 7 years ago!? After doing years of more complex and assumptive math??? YOU R TEH RETARD

[D911]

Originally posted by Mar
What's next, turning water into a solid? I'm sorry I doubted you.

Even though you are retarded and kept saying that 2 was the answer.. At least you tried to think it through.

If you're serious about this statement, You may need to redo some grade 7 science about phase changes.

[tictactoe2004]

The reason this question is messing with everyone is it's using implied multiplication.

Implied Multiplication

Implied multiplication suggests that if you have 2x it means the same as (2*X). In some calculators implied multiplication has a higher priority than explicit multiplication to allow users to enter something like "1/2X" instead of "1/(2*X)". (This is why some people are getting different answers on different calculators)

Texas Instruments Link

The problem is the only info I can find on implied multiplication states it's there to help make it easier to enter into a calculator.

The people putting the higher precedence on implied multiplication are getting an answer of 2, the people using BEDMAS are getting 288.

The question that needs to be answered to properly solve this is:

Is implied multiplication a feature of the standard order of operations?

If the answer to this question is Yes the answer is 2, if it's no, it's 288.

All the info I can find suggests that multiplication is multiplication and implied multiplcation is to be treated no differently than explicit multiplication.

Wikipedia Order of Operations

The answer is 288 unless someone can show me where it states implied multiplication > BEDMAS.

[kertejud2]

I'm fairly certain that Hakkola was the first one to really get it right. The question sucks because it leaves room for interpretation when math questions can't, so therefore the question is wrong.

As stated on the math forum ax/by thing:
"So to answer your question, I think both answers can be considered
right - which means, of course, that the question itself is wrong. I
prefer the standard way (your first answer) when talking to students,
unless their own text gives the "implicit multiplication first" rule;
but in practice if I came across that expression, I would probably
first check where it came from to see if I could tell what was
intended. The main lesson to learn is not which rule to follow, but
how to avoid ambiguity in what you write yourself. Don't give other
people this kind of trouble."

It pretty much depends on the interpretation of the person asking the question. While there is indeed no rule saying that implied multiplication can be used before the order of operations, there seems to be various (math) people who feel that it can be done.


So in short, everybody chill the fuck out.

[Mazstyle]

It's 288.

Whats all this talk of interpretation? this isn't philosophy 101.

÷ = /

56% of you are wrong!

[kertejud2]

Originally posted by Mazstyle
It's 288.

Whats all this talk of interpretation? this isn't philosophy 101.

÷ = /

56% of you are wrong!

Because without knowing the intent of the question asker, it is unknown if implied multiplication occurs. If you feel that it can, then the answer is 2, if you believe that it doesn't or that given the unknown intent the order of operations should be followed regardless then its 288.

So given the lack of knowledge of intent 288 is indeed more right, but doesn't necessarily make 2 a wrong answer either which is why it is a bad question (but a brilliant question at the same time).

[962 kid]

Originally posted by kertejud2

Because without knowing the intent of the question asker, it is unknown if implied multiplication occurs. If you feel that it can, then the answer is 2, if you believe that it doesn't or that given the unknown intent the order of operations should be followed regardless then its 288.

So given the lack of knowledge of intent 288 is indeed more right, but doesn't necessarily make 2 a wrong answer either which is why it is a bad question (but a brilliant question at the same time).

The confusion isn't from implied multiplication, it's from the lack of brackets after the 48. The way it's written, the answer is 288 unless you feel like following a non-standard set of rules (in which case, you're wrong anyways). From wiki:

"The string of characters "1/2x" is interpreted by the above conventions as (1/2)x. The contrary interpretation should be written explicitly as 1/(2x). Again, the use of brackets will clarify the meaning and should be used if there is any chance of misinterpretation."

"An expression like 1/2x is interpreted as 1/(2x) by TI-82, but as (1/2)x by TI-83. While the first interpretation may be expected by some users, only the latter is in agreement with the standard rules stated above."

Like I said before, it's easiest to replace the /2 with a *0.5 to make it easier to see what's going on.

[alloroc]

Step 1 brackets
Step 2 divide
Step 3 ???????
Step 4 Profit ....


http://www.zazzle.com/48_2_9_3_tshir...82834792365529

[alloroc]

BTW I pasted 48÷2(9+3) = ???? into a wikipeda search and this was the first link ..


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Rhapsody

The answer is "Freddy Mercury"

[msommers]

Someone especially mean would make this a skill-testing question..

[alloroc]

btw this is the answer ....

48 / 2(9+3)

48 / (18+6)

48 / (24)

2

[Eleanor]

I weep for humanity

[Kg810]

The answer is over 9000.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by msommers
Someone especially mean would make this a skill-testing question..

It should be on every Tim Hortons winning cup

[Mar]

Originally posted by Mar
Ya, crazy math and its centuries of proven theories. What's next, turning water into a solid? I'm sorry I doubted you.

Originally posted by The_Rural_Juror
Umm....

It was sarcasm.

Originally posted by 962 kid
Wow if only I possessed the technology and brainpower to turn a water into solid

It was sarcasm.

Originally posted by D911
If you're serious about this statement, You may need to redo some grade 7 science about phase changes.

I have a science degree, I'm well aware of the existence of ice.