What is the answer? 48/2(9+3)

[Lockdev]

It's 288.

The problem does not reduce to

48/(2*(9*3))

It reduces to

48/2 * (9*3)

Parenthesis first, then left to right.

One thing is for certain: it's horribly formed.

[coschristi]

I didn't think it mattered if you do the parenthesis first. The parenthesis serve to keep the value contained within from being merged with any other value in the equation.

Either way; 48/2(9+3)= 24(9+3)= 288. Or;
48/2(9+3)= 48/2(12)= 288.


If you want the equation written to reflect "2" as the answer; you would write it:

" 48 " =
2(9+3)

[phetaroi]

I agree with another poster. Why is this in great debates?

[PeachSalsa]

PEMDAS.

parenthesis, exponents, multiply or divide (left to right), add or subtract (left to right).

It's called Order of Operations.

[WithDisp]

The order of operations leads the answer to 288.

One of the flaws of 'PEMDAS' is it's often remembered in that order.

It's really, P,E,MD,AS. Or P,E,DM,SA. Same thing. For the equal Multiplication and Division, it goes left to right.

[freemkt]

Is this new math or common core math?

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by scarecrow-

288 because it goes left to right, after the parenthesis.
(9+3) = 12
now you have 48/2 (12)
you still read this left to right therefore 48/2 = 24
24(12) = 288.

Are you saying that if I solve it left-to-right or right-to-left
It gives two completely different answers?

It should always give the same answer

[Jeo123]

1) No Polls
2) Not a Great Debate
3) Report threads that don't meet the requirements. Posting that you don't think it's a Great Debate topic doesn't help.