What Is The Answer To This Math Problem?

Trolls...

Technically a formula or equation of any sort, is no Maths either.

48/2(9+3) is the same as 48/2 * 1/12= 48/24=2 the error occurring with the calculators is that they are assuming that the (9+3) is not a denominator. So even if you did 48/2 from the start, you would have 24/(9+3). It would not become 24(9+3). Being that the parenthesis are on the right of the /, it makes it a denominator. Thus the answer is 2.

ryan seacrest?

48÷2*9+2*3
48÷18+6
2 2/3 + 6

the answer is 8 2/3, or 8.66 repeating of course

i still cant believe this thread continues... and is peaceful

This subject is intriguing, I do agree that under the normal rules of order of operations (PEMDAS/BIDMAS) the answer is 288 but as I dug deeper I found this to be quite interesting. The entire case for the answer technically being 2 is based on the fact that the 2(9+3) does not have a (X or *) could fall under this this rule: multiplication indicated by juxtaposition

Which I do not know if it is technically a math law or if it should be.. Obviously as others have said the equation is written in poor notation like Shultz mentioned


This was the most official information I came across first about juxtaposition.


Source


Also there seems to be a toss up between whether or not some Mathematicians would argue that implied multiplication takes priority over explicit multiplication, some graphing calculators have taken this in mind to allow a user to enter in a formula how it was written.

TI for example

48/2(9+3) is not the same as 48/2*(9+3)

as in the first equation the brackets are representing the multiplication the multiplication should be carried out while dealing with what's in the brackets

In the second equation the multiplication is not represented by the brackets and so it is handled differently

So although I can see both sides of the argument I think 2 is the correct answer

I agree and I disagree, I can honestly see both sides of the argument I think it's an amazing exploit to a possible flaw in the traditional PEMDAS/BIDMAS laws of order of operation and I think they should implement a new rule which would give priority to implied multiplication.



It's really makes you think.. What about languages that read RIGHT to LEFT? In English we read from left to right, so it would make sense that PEMDAS follows the same type of rules, how would this poorly written equation translate to other languages? There should in fact be some type of law regarding this. the a/bc, many people would mean a/(bc) but would not write it this way. It would look odd to think (a/b)c = a/bc even though under the laws of PEMDAS it is. It's just one perfect example and I'm sure there are countless other mathematical papers written with this implied rule but where and who can make it an actual law?

Most people agree it's a poor notation for an equation but that does not mean it could not exist. Yes, it would be better written 48 / (2(9+3)) or (48 / 2)(9+3) and again not many people even write using / or ÷ outside basic arithmetic, once we learn algebra we write equations such as:



or

This is why you convert to all multiplication or all division and there won't be a problem.

divded by 2 = x .5

I guess BODMAS/BOMDAS is canadian thing cuz ive never heard of it called PEMDAS before.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-bodmas.html

And if you follow that the answer is and can only be 288.

No wonder ppl say the school system is failing.

If (9+3) is in the numerator, that is true. The way this question is asked leaves ambiguity as to whether it is in the numerator or denominator. If it's in the denom, then the answer is not 288, even following that.

k.

True but this is how it was written...if the OP wanted to put it as the num/den then he would have done so....unless he failed.

Odd...I never said that....anywhere lol

You're assuming the way the question is written isn't intentionally left open in the way it is.

Written as is, the question could very well go either way, which is why its a flawed question to begin with. Neither option is 100% clear.

Quite personally, in my line of work, I write my own equations to figure out what I need to know, so I could care less what the correct answer to this particular poorly written equation is.

and you still posted here..




also:

As it is written its straight forward... 48 divided by 2 multiplied by 12. Left to right like reading a book(an English book)...this is grade 6 math. When in doubt K.I.S.S it... Keep It Simple Stupid.

What you wrote is not the EXACT same as the original question.

Shut up Tweek, noone really gives a *** what you think anyway.

Straight forward that ÷ could mean the denominator for the entire problem. Still could go either way.

Now now, play nice..

If only people cared about what I had to say as much as they care about what you have to say...

That's my goal this year.. for people to 'give a ***' about what I think as much as you think people give a *** about what you think.

Even if you attempt to convert it all to multiplication and division you must first deal with the brackets

48/2(9+3) = 48/2(12)

you still have a bracket to deal with before proceeding to multiplication and division, hence why I feel the multiplication implied by the brackets must be carried out first.

I may be wrong but I still believe the answer is 2

Also dude who's to say that the mathematical equation written the exact same would need to follow the rules of LEFT to RIGHT in a different language? i.e. a language that is not read left to right.. that's just 1 small part that makes this so interesting

I really don't care what people think of what I have to say here. I have noone do impress. You are the one trying to belittle someone on the internet to make yourself look smart.

So I say again, shut the *** up, noone cares.

Why is this 7 pages long.. Surely after the first page the answer should've been: "Shut up" ? lol