48 ÷ 2 (9+3) = ???
- Thread starter Masked
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- Apr 25, 2011
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Apparently the correct order is parentheses first, then multiplication and division from left to right.
The thing that throws it is the omission of the multiplication sign - to me that suggests that the multiplication of the parenthesise by 2 should be treated as a singular entity and thus calculated before the rest of the equation.
However whether that's correct or whether the syntax is simply wrong, I don't know!!!!
We need a mathmatician to answer the question really otherwise it's just a debate of opinions!!!!
The thing that throws it is the omission of the multiplication sign - to me that suggests that the multiplication of the parenthesise by 2 should be treated as a singular entity and thus calculated before the rest of the equation.
However whether that's correct or whether the syntax is simply wrong, I don't know!!!!
We need a mathmatician to answer the question really otherwise it's just a debate of opinions!!!!
Mokodoki
Regular Member
- Feb 26, 2011
- 225
- 356
288. 
Yes, there is a correct answer and it is 288. There is no other correct answer. You could add parenthesis or brackets to change the equation, but you would be changing the equation, not "fixing" it. This is a legitimate math equation.
48 / 2 (9+3)
48 / 2 (12)
24 (12)
288
Why is it like this?
When we're younger, a lot of us learn the order of operations by "PEMDAS" as a convenient acronym. However, a lot of times we forget that multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction are all dependent on the order in which they appear. It should really be "PE(M/D)(A/S)" as they are equal importance in order of operations.
It's a popular troll question because everyone knows that people use the stupid PEMDAS way of doing order of operations and will forget the additional rules that apply.
Yes, there is a correct answer and it is 288. There is no other correct answer. You could add parenthesis or brackets to change the equation, but you would be changing the equation, not "fixing" it. This is a legitimate math equation.
48 / 2 (9+3)
48 / 2 (12)
24 (12)
288
Why is it like this?
When we're younger, a lot of us learn the order of operations by "PEMDAS" as a convenient acronym. However, a lot of times we forget that multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction are all dependent on the order in which they appear. It should really be "PE(M/D)(A/S)" as they are equal importance in order of operations.
It's a popular troll question because everyone knows that people use the stupid PEMDAS way of doing order of operations and will forget the additional rules that apply.
Kakashi3005
Newbie
- Apr 29, 2009
- 18
- 3
lol how can this be 2?
left before right why should you change this rule for this problem?
left before right why should you change this rule for this problem?
xboxps3wow
Power Member
- Jan 15, 2010
- 736
- 247
I really hope you are in 3rd grade or lower
anyway, why do people post these threads, its simple math!
Godspeed
Regular Member
- Aug 23, 2007
- 328
- 124
the answer is 288 and you will understand this when you get to high school. Check this with your teachers before you call them stupid.
allblueskys
Junior Member
- Apr 3, 2011
- 100
- 42
no body learned PEMDAS?
P-Perthesis
E-Exponents
M-Multiplication
D-Division
A-Addition
S-Subtraction
P-Perthesis
E-Exponents
M-Multiplication
D-Division
A-Addition
S-Subtraction
288.
Yes, there is a correct answer and it is 288. There is no other correct answer. You could add parenthesis or brackets to change the equation, but you would be changing the equation, not "fixing" it. This is a legitimate math equation.
48 / 2 (9+3)
48 / 2 (12)
24 (12)
288
Why is it like this?
When we're younger, a lot of us learn the order of operations by "PEMDAS" as a convenient acronym. However, a lot of times we forget that multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction are all dependent on the order in which they appear. It should really be "PE(M/D)(A/S)" as they are equal importance in order of operations.
It's a popular troll question because everyone knows that people use the stupid PEMDAS way of doing order of operations and will forget the additional rules that apply.
The equation as written in the original post is.
48
2(9+3)
You are re-writing it as.
48 * (9+3)
2
EddieArnoldnk43
Newbie
- Mar 3, 2010
- 20
- 3
- Apr 25, 2011
- 19,849
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This is obviously an unanswerable question or it wouldn't be in so many forums. Has any one ever given a definitive answer WITHOUT re-writing the equation to support their answer? Let's talk about something else
Kakashi3005
Newbie
- Apr 29, 2009
- 18
- 3
haha 2 and 288 is wrong the answer is 42!
Last edited:
Well I'm an graduated engineer and I tell you that is 2.
trooper
Regular Member
- Jun 5, 2009
- 207
- 214
2(9+3) is a single expression, just like x(9+3) would be. That is why as soon as you complete the operation in the parenthesis, you immediately distribute the 2 (or x) into the result in the parenthesis. To add to this explanation and make implied multiplication a little clearer, take a look at this:
48/2(9+3) =/= 48/2*(9+3)
The multiplication between 2 and the (9+3) in the first equation is implied. The multiplication between the 2 and the (9+3) in the second equation is explicit. Because the first one is implied, the 2 and the (9+3) would be treated as a single expression, so it would be written as one large fraction; 48 over 2(9+3). However, the second equation, because the multiplication is explicit and the 2 and the (9+3) are two different expressions, it would be written as a single fraction multiplied by (9+3), 48 over 2 multiplied by (9+3).
Therefore, the answer is 2.
48/2(9+3) =/= 48/2*(9+3)
The multiplication between 2 and the (9+3) in the first equation is implied. The multiplication between the 2 and the (9+3) in the second equation is explicit. Because the first one is implied, the 2 and the (9+3) would be treated as a single expression, so it would be written as one large fraction; 48 over 2(9+3). However, the second equation, because the multiplication is explicit and the 2 and the (9+3) are two different expressions, it would be written as a single fraction multiplied by (9+3), 48 over 2 multiplied by (9+3).
Therefore, the answer is 2.