48/2(9+3) - 4

spades of feare · 08-08-2012

Theres 2 answers. Both are equally mathmatically correct

You can argue both sides indefinitely but its either 288, or 2.

The Doctor · 08-08-2012

I'm gonna troll an online math tutor with this ;)

Talon · 08-08-2012

Post results ;D

V. · 08-08-2012

I use BODMAS. They're exactly the same, I think.

Brackets Over Divide Mulitply Add Subtract. Or I'm talking about something completely different to your problem.

Talon · 08-08-2012

What was your outcome?

DragonRider · 08-09-2012

Posted by spades of feare

Theres 2 answers. Both are equally mathmatically correct

You can argue both sides indefinitely but its either 288, or 2.

It's 288. In math, multiplication and division are exactly the same, it's left to right. 2 is what you get if you do multiplication first.

Eroz · 08-09-2012

1+1= 3

Jazz · 08-09-2012

Another way to look at this problem.

If you DID want to distribute the math, then you would need to distribute the fraction, not the denominator.
Where in math have you ever distributed the denominator into a set of parenthesis? lol
Unless the parenthesis are specifically shown as being a part of the denominator.

So, if you want to distribute, go ahead:
(48/2*9)+(48/2*3)
Can you guess the answer?

Now, why do some calculators get a different answer...well, they read it differently, obviously.
It can be read as either
(48/2)(9+3)
or
48/(2*(9+3))

So, in this case...the mixed up answers are just a case of the problem not being clearly written. lol

Cat612 · 08-09-2012

I'm too lazy to read through the answers, but

48/2(9+3)
Add 9+3 first (PEMDAS, P=parentheses)
Then it doesn't matter if you divide or multiply next, you'll get 288 in the end.

I think the problem is that people don't know that the M and D in PEMDAS are interchangeable, meaning one doesn't come before the other, but of you come across them together you do it in order of left to right.

Edit: checked my solution with Wolfram Alpha
http://m.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%2f2(9%2b3)

iHot · 08-09-2012

I divide first it's easier.

Pazx · 08-09-2012

Posted by spades of feare

Theres 2 answers. Both are equally mathmatically correct

You can argue both sides indefinitely but its either 288, or 2.

No, you can't, it's 288. Prove me wrong.

Crono · 08-09-2012

48/2(9+3) is the same as writing 48/2*(9+3)

You do what's in parentheses first so you have

48/2*12

You multiply 2*12 first because you're dividing 48 by 2*12. If this was written on paper, imagine the 2*12 being written under the 48, you don't divide it until it's actually solved. You get 24.

48/24 = 2.

2 should be the answer.

I can see why it could also be 288...

When you get to 48/2*12 = x...

48/2 = x/12

24 = x/12

x = 288

It just depends on how you handle 2*12. I think we were always taught to multiply that out first and THEN divide, I could be wrong though. Actually, I'm starting to like the 288 answer.

fukin hell i actually took a pretty hard level of math at the end of high school, it was pretty much college level. GOD DAMNIT.

edit-actually the bit with 2(9+3) is just confusing. i suppose if we were to take it all literally then it's 288.

SnakeRekon · 08-09-2012

Posted by V.

I use BODMAS. They're exactly the same, I think.

Brackets Over Divide Mulitply Add Subtract. Or I'm talking about something completely different to your problem.

This is what I use and was taught.
Americans are so weird z.z

B
Brackets first
O
Orders (ie Powers and Square Roots, etc.)
DM
Division and Multiplication (left-to-right)
AS
Addition and Subtraction (left-to-right)

LavaClaw · 08-09-2012

Yeah, I also used BODMAS.

spades of feare · 08-09-2012

Posted by DragonRider

It's 288. In math, multiplication and division are exactly the same, it's left to right. 2 is what you get if you do multiplication first.

I just asked both of my math professors, they both agree that you can get either answer with a completely legitimate math process

Posted by Pazx

No, you can't, it's 288. Prove me wrong.

Yes i can, considering its a mathmatical paradox thats been around for a long time.

Poll Results: What was your outcome?
63.04%	288
36.96%	2
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

08-08-2012	46
spades of feare Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA, south east PROUND TO NOT BE A REDNECK Posts: 963	Theres 2 answers. Both are equally mathmatically correct You can argue both sides indefinitely but its either 288, or 2.

08-08-2012	47
The Doctor Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Posts: 5,459	I'm gonna troll an online math tutor with this ;)

08-08-2012	48
Talon don't call it a comeback Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8,268	Post results ;D

08-08-2012	49
V. .47 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wundahland! Posts: 1,921	I use BODMAS. They're exactly the same, I think. Brackets Over Divide Mulitply Add Subtract. Or I'm talking about something completely different to your problem.

08-09-2012	52
Eroz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: . Posts: 305	1+1= 3

08-09-2012	53
Jazz Awesome Person Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 217	Another way to look at this problem. If you DID want to distribute the math, then you would need to distribute the fraction, not the denominator. Where in math have you ever distributed the denominator into a set of parenthesis? lol Unless the parenthesis are specifically shown as being a part of the denominator. So, if you want to distribute, go ahead: (48/29)+(48/23) Can you guess the answer? Now, why do some calculators get a different answer...well, they read it differently, obviously. It can be read as either (48/2)(9+3) or 48/(2*(9+3)) So, in this case...the mixed up answers are just a case of the problem not being clearly written. lol

08-09-2012	54
Cat612 Scientist Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California, USA Posts: 1,491	I'm too lazy to read through the answers, but 48/2(9+3) Add 9+3 first (PEMDAS, P=parentheses) Then it doesn't matter if you divide or multiply next, you'll get 288 in the end. I think the problem is that people don't know that the M and D in PEMDAS are interchangeable, meaning one doesn't come before the other, but of you come across them together you do it in order of left to right. Edit: checked my solution with Wolfram Alpha http://m.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%2f2(9%2b3)

08-09-2012	55
iHot Graalian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Belle Isle Posts: 4,481	I divide first it's easier.

08-09-2012	57
Crono :pluffy: Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,946	48/2(9+3) is the same as writing 48/2(9+3) You do what's in parentheses first so you have 48/212 You multiply 212 first because you're dividing 48 by 212. If this was written on paper, imagine the 212 being written under the 48, you don't divide it until it's actually solved. You get 24. 48/24 = 2. 2 should be the answer. I can see why it could also be 288... When you get to 48/212 = x... 48/2 = x/12 24 = x/12 x = 288 It just depends on how you handle 2*12. I think we were always taught to multiply that out first and THEN divide, I could be wrong though. Actually, I'm starting to like the 288 answer. fukin hell i actually took a pretty hard level of math at the end of high school, it was pretty much college level. GOD DAMNIT. edit-actually the bit with 2(9+3) is just confusing. i suppose if we were to take it all literally then it's 288.

08-09-2012	59
LavaClaw amidoinitrite? Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 1,484	Yeah, I also used BODMAS.