Poll: What is the answer to 48/2(9+3)?
- Thread starter Brawndo
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Joseph Webb said:
An another thing, if the majority is interpreting it wrong, while putting it in another form that's just as correct (even if more bracket heavy) makes them interpret it right one should consider that it's a better idea to use the version most people get...
It's not like using one spelling version of the other affect the math itself.
48/2(9+3) and 48/[2(9+3)] are the same, aren't they? Why not make the one people get easier the default?
I'm not arguing that they are correct. What I am saying is that because that's the way they handle it and that I'm a programmer, that's the way I handle it. An equation with multiple interpretations will have multiple answers. And yes, there are multiple interpretations because of the fact that we are now using machines to argue the point and that someone had to program said machines.Joseph Webb said:
I would also like to quote your reference again since you use it as to why we're all wrong. He didn't say that everything after the / was the denominator, but that the parens implied a higher precedence over standard division and multiplication then went on to also say:
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!)
Even your own source as to why the rest of us suck at math admits that not all mathematicians and teachers interpret it the same way. General consensus does not mean 100% fact.
EDIT: Left out a point.
No they are not. Adding new brackets which change the order of operations is not some kind of mathematical rule you can employ.mps4li3n said:
The equation is 48/2(9+3)
You do the brackets first 9+3 =12
Then you do division and multiplication from left to right
48/2 = 24
24*12 = 288
Or if you prefer to distribute
(48/2)*9 + (48/2)*3 = 216 + 72 = 288
I highly advise that you A. get a math tutor B. accept that you are mentally impaired or C. stop trolling.[/quote]Joseph Webb said:
How about you understand that the link you provided said this at the bottom:
"""" 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!"""
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops2.htm
Notice the word CONSENSUS instead of something like THE ONLY RIGHT WAY?!
Yeah, standardisation (of symbols, math doesn't need it any more then the earth needs to be made to comply to GMT exactly) doesn't happen by magic.
It doesn't matter which way you word it, it's the same thing. The fact that people are too dense to understand it is not my fault, it's theirs. Personally, yes, I would use brackets (to help those of us who aren't as intelligent or math-savvy), but I didn't write the initial equation.mps4li3n said:
I don't THINK I'm right, I KNOW I'm right. I'm not being unnecessarily harsh. It's not my fault that you weren't taught in school how to solve a problem like this. You don't need brackets because 2 is a coefficient of (9+3), meaning it is directly related to (9+3). I'll give you a quick math lesson just to help you out. Let's look at the problem (CORRECTLY). 48/2(9+3) What else can we do with this problem? Oh, I know, we can take a 2 out of 48, making the problem 2(24)/2(9+3). That's not all though, we can turn 24 into something else as well! The problem can then become 2(18+6)/2(9+3). That's pretty cool and all, but where does that get us? OH! Now we can cancel out the 2 in both the numerator and the denominator (because when you divide 2 by 2, you get one! AMAZING). We're left with (18+6)/(9+3). If we follow the order of operations, we get to 24/12. What does 24/12=? THE ANSWER IS 2! However, if you couldn't solve the problem the regular way, I doubt you could follow my SUPER(!) difficult method of arriving at the SAME answer!Taerdin said:
How about you understand that the link you provided said this at the bottom:mps4li3n said:
"""" 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!"""
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops2.htm
Notice the word CONSENSUS instead of something like THE ONLY RIGHT WAY?!
Yeah, standardisation (of symbols, math doesn't need it any more then the earth needs to be made to comply to GMT exactly) doesn't happen by magic.[/quote] You've just proven your idiocy to me. It just said that if there's no multiplication sign, you do that part of the function first, even if your calculator doesn't do this. Seriously, now you can't even display basic reading comprehension? I must be arguing with a 8 year old.
That's debatableJoseph Webb said:
You made the problem too complicated for yourself and made a slight errorJoseph Webb said:
When you were at this step...
2(18+6)/2(9+3)
You can indeed cancel out the 2 with the 2 in the denominator, but then you are left with (18+6)(9+3) which is equal to 24*12 which is in fact 288.
I can see how you would make a mistake though. Try to keep it simple in the future
Incorrect.Taerdin said:
2(8) is an unfinished equation that is simplified. 2(8+0)
if you modify an equation, you have to modify it all together.
as such.
16 / (2(8+0))
is the proper way to write this out.
suffice it to say, your calculation breaks the order of operations and places division in presidence over parentheses...
Joseph Webb said:
My point is that just as there are multiple ways to write an equation there can be multiple ways to interpret what math function (i have no clue if the word is right, non-native speaker and all, i menat in the way + denotes multiplication, while for an alien it wouldn't) a certain symbol describes depending on who's teaching it...
Like i said, your link even warns that not everyone sees 2(x+y) and 2*(x+y) as different when in relation with / .
Obviously that means they see the symbol itself differently, but not math...
Think of it as inverting the meaning of " - and + " with " / and * " ... math wouldn't change at all but everyone that knew + as addition, while now it's multiplication would be very confused... And remember that the + sign is not that old (15 century: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plus_and_minus_signs#History), while everyone on earth was doing math long before it.
And look at how Wolfram Alpha spread it out in the input field: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%2F2%289%2B3%29 If it was written like that (in the input field i mean) here too the answer would be no question about it.
Here is the problem with that...KarlixLV said:To clarify things here is how you arrive at 288 and how it should be written to get 2.
how does 48/2(9+3) become 48/2*(9+3)?
2(9+3) is NOT 2 * (9+3)
it is the simplified form of
((2*9)+(2*3))
by it your way you break the order of operations and Divide before you complete the Parentheses.
I clearly understand your error, I'm not a troll.Joseph Webb said:
The expression is actually this...
2(18+6) * (9+3)
-------
2
But I could see how you would interpret it the other way if you are not used to using computers or calculators, and do all your calculations elementary school style (purely on paper)
incorrect.Spot1990 said:
2(9+3) is not indicated as being Separate.
we have to treat it like it is a complex equation and distribute the 2 before we continue the equation.
in order for the equation to be considered Seperate there would need to be a symbol between the 2 and the parentheses.
like:
2*(9+3)
And that's the problem, obviously not everyone was taught that 2(x+y) and 2*(x+y) aren't the same thing simplified by not bothering with the *Pyro Paul said:
It's all a simple case of grammatical syntax as applied to the way math is written (and make no mistake, the symbols used as as arbitrary as letters, while math is simply the ability to speak).