48÷2(9+3) = ???? (cd)

[Nomander]

Originally Posted by Trackwatch

Try again 2 times 1/12 is what?

What is the order of operations?

Does division come before multiplication or are they the same?

What do you do when they are the same?

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

This has been the problem all along. The equation has been intentionally written following two different notation conventions so as to introduce this ambiguity for the purposes of entertainment - IOW, it's a trick question, and trick questions are fun, as exhibited by this dead and buried thread. You can even order T-shirts, coffee mugs, and mouse pads with this very equation on it. There is a reason for that. After all, who would buy a T-shirt with 2+2=4 on it?

Right, it's a troll equation. You get 288 if you follow your elementary order of operations. You get 2 if you treat implicit multiplication as higher precedence than division -- which is a common convention in algebra, where coefficients of variables generally stick to them.

[Cleveland_Collector]

^Yep.

When doing problems like this the best thing to do is turn everything into a variable.

w=48, x=2, y=9, z=3;

w/x(y+z) = ?

Now, you won't become distracted by the operation in the parentheses since it is not possible to perform and achieve an integer. You will now see w/x as a fraction and also as a factor (coefficient) to be distributed among (y + z), which is:

w/x(y) + w/x(z) =?

Now, substitute the integers:

48/2(9) + 48/2(3) = 24(9) + 24(3) = 216 + 72 = 288

If you answered 2, don't feel too bad. It's an easy mistake to make when the problem is essentially setting you up to fail. I have an MSEE and almost fell for it.

[Brian.Pearson]

Originally Posted by Charles

Saw this somewhere else. What is the answer? (There was no Math forum so I placed it here.)

48=Divisor,
2(9+3)= Dividend
Answer=2 and that's final.

[tickyul]

Here is the answer via google math:



288, 288, 288, 288, 288

[Trackwatch]

Originally Posted by Nomander

What is the order of operations?

Does division come before multiplication or are they the same?

What do you do when they are the same?

2x is always 2 times whatever x is, it is 2 x's, like the beer

[Nomander]

Originally Posted by Trackwatch

2x is always 2 times whatever x is, it is 2 x's, like the beer

What is the order of operations?

Does division come before multiplication or are they the same?

What do you do when they are the same?

[carlitasway]

Originally Posted by Charles

Saw this somewhere else. What is the answer? (There was no Math forum so I placed it here.)

I'm not reading the replies, but going by please excuse my dear aunt sally, the answer is 288, no? Please tell me I'm right or I better stop homeschooling

[Nomander]

Originally Posted by carlitasway

I'm not reading the replies, but going by please excuse my dear aunt sally, the answer is 288, no? Please tell me I'm right or I better stop homeschooling

You are correct.

The problem as others have already mentioned is when people use implied multiplication concerning the 2 and the x. That works fine when the equation is properly formatted, for instance as:

48
---
2x

or

48
------
2(9+3)


but, this is not the case with the equation in question because there is no "implied" representation. So, as you properly did, you followed the correct order of operations from left to right.

Most know it is 288, I think those that continue to claim it is 2 are simply trolling.

[dub dub II]

I thought 2.
It's sloppy either way.