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Sorry, but at a certain point, mathematics becomes about innate ability and can't be improved upon by more studying or practice. Some people just get it and are on a whole different level. It's just the way it is.
Being good at calculus, algebra, trig, etc. doesn't make you good at math. Real mathematicians do not do plug and chug type problems or problems that require some simple algebraic manipulating in order to solve for X. They do proofs, and proofs require much more innate ability than being trained to carry out a specific set of tasks in order to solve for an unknown variable.
Here's a proof you can try that requires no advanced mathematics that is more along the lines of what true math is really like (try it without using google):
Prove that the square root of 2 is an irrational number.
Of course, then it gets really fun when you start to get down further. Prove that Pi is not an algebraic number (that is, prove that pi is not the root for any polynomial with rational coefficients). (Don't try this one, just wanted to give another example of what you would be doing in an upper level undergrad class).
Last edited by fibonacci; 11-20-2011 at 08:40 AM..
That is horribly written, no mathematician would ever write an equation like that.
You're right, a mathematician would not write an ambiguous equation. A mathematician would have used another set of parentheses to eliminate the ambiguity.
If memory serves me correctly, multiplication and division are equal when it comes to the order of operations so you'd have to work the problem left to right after completing the operation in the parentheses so the answer would be 288.
Last edited by toobusytoday; 11-21-2011 at 05:49 AM..
Reason: Removed orphaned quote
You're right, a mathematician would not write an ambiguous equation. A mathematician would have used another set of parentheses to eliminate the ambiguity.
If memory serves me correctly, multiplication and division are equal when it comes to the order of operations so you'd have to work the problem left to right after completing the operation in the parentheses so the answer would be 288.
Well isn't that funny? I approached the problem this way: 98% of people get this problem wrong. Then I solved the problem the same way that I figured 98% of people would and got 2 and so I guessed the answer was 288. LOL. Logical, yes?
I was pretty horrible at math all thru school and avoided it all I could. Then when I got to algebra I loved it b/c it was like solving a puzzle and as already mentioned, it was instant feedback. Trig was even better, but I have to admit that many high school students are right--I almost never use algebra or anything beyond it in my daily life. The Pythagorean theorem is about the only thing I remember using in the last several years. But then again, maybe I was solving more than I thought, b/c that Singapore method is probably what I would use, w/o even knowing that I was using it.
It is not a well written problem. It takes advantage of the implied multiplication of the number before the parentheses. It is the same issue as the example in the meme link, 2/5x
If x is 2 what is the simplified fraction? Another poorly written equation.
If the purpose of an equation is to describe a relationship, than the more clearly you describe that relationship the better.
Last edited by toobusytoday; 11-21-2011 at 05:51 AM..
Reason: removed orphaned quote
if you want to be good at math;you should love it;this is first.
second,you have to follow the lessons with your teachers,and revise them when you come back home.also,you have to do some exercises concern the lessons.if you haveen't understood a lesson tell your teachers and they will help you;
do what i told you and you will see the result and tell me about it.
finally,put in your mind that math is very easy if you love it and work hard to understand it.
good luck
Legal yes, but it makes things too ambiguous. Aside from that most mathematicians would not use the ÷ sign.
48÷2(9+3) is more properly written (48/2)(9+3) which of course is 288
If you want the answer to be 2, you need to write it 48/(2(9+3))
If you do not include the parentheses, the first answer is indicated according to the order of operation rules, but so many people forget that multiplication and division are performed in order right to left that it is better to include the ().
48÷2(9+3) = 48/2(9+3) = 48/2(12) = 24(12) = 288
Multiplication does not come before division in simple algebra. They are done left to right in order.
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Maybe I'm not that old after all...
