Curious about Graalians' take on this. Every forum I've asked this on (6Theory, HackForums, Head-Fi) has been split around 50/50.

PHP Code:

48÷2(9+3) = ? 


Solve the equation.  

9+3= 12
48/2= 24
24x12= 288  

hmmmm. 2.  

Poll added.  

48÷2(9+3) = ?

48 / (2*9 + 2*3) = ?
48 / (18 + 6) = ?
48 / 24 = 2

At least, that's how I remember it in math, but I always had a hard time with the subject. But as far as I know, distributive property and order of operations plays a key part in a problem like this.  

Order of operations people. It's 2. You distribute the parentheses first, making it 42/24. Which is 2. I don't see how this is controversial.  

I don't see why you would distribute if you're following order of operation.
@Pimpsy Order of operations doesn't tell you to distribute.  

Posted by Rexx

I don't see why you would distribute if you're following order of operation.

Because parentheses allways come first?  

Here's how I solved it.

48÷2(9+3) = ?
48÷2(12) = ?
24(12) = ?
288

@Pimpsy: its so controversial around the internet due to people around the world being taught different order of operation methods. Some people stay strict to PEMDAS and do it in that order, which leads to an answer of 2. Other people follow another version of PEMDAS which states the operations in the groupings MD and AS have no precedence over each other, and should be taken out left to right. That method will lead you to 288.

That's why I'm so curious on everyone's take. Please vote in the poll everyone.  

PLEASE EXCUSE MY DEAR AUNT SALLY! Or whatever nursery rhyme they taught you in math class. Yes, PEMDAS like you said ^  

Posted by Talon

Here's how I solved it.

48÷2(9+3) = ?
48÷2(12) = ?
24(12) = ?
288

@Pimpsy: its so controversial around the internet due to people around the world being taught different order of operation methods. Some people stay strict to PEMDAS and do it in that order, which leads to an answer of 2. Other people follow another version of PEMDAS which states the operations in the groupings MD and AS have no precedence over each other, and should be taken out left to right. That method will lead you to 288.

That's why I'm so curious on everyone's take. Please vote in the poll everyone.

It's not controversial, you did it wrong still. 48/2(12) still has 2*12 as the dominating factor. Your other version is incorrect. Multiplication allways takes dominance, you can't have two different answers, that's a fact.  

But why is 2*12 still the dominating factor?  

Oh I remember in 5th grade they told us
P.E.M.D.A.S
Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (LOL)
Parentheses Exponents Multiply Divide Add Subtract=PEMDAS.

Now breaking down the equation
48÷2(9+3)
First add whats in the parentheses. Your equation should look like this.
48÷2(12)
Now Divide. Equation should look like this.
24(12)
Multiply.
288 is the answer.  

Posted by Talon

But why is 2*12 still the dominating factor?

PEMDAS M>D. Thats it. Theres no alternate version that favors left to right since that would result in multiple impossible answers like this. End of thread. The answer is two.  

I was taught differently, that M=D and should be done in chronological order. Matlab and Python both output 288, a Texas calculator I own outputs 2, but another revision of the same Texas calculator outputs 288.