that involves a combination of division and implied multiplication.
The standard way to read arithmetic expression (i.e. order of operations) involves dealing with parentheses first, then you do all division and multiplication operations from left to right, then all addition and subtraction operations from left to right.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations
So, this is computed as:
48÷2(12)
=24(12)
=288
It doesn't matter whether the multiplication sign is shown, say:
48÷2 x (9+3)
or whether they are in different forms: (representing divisions by a slash):
48/2(9+3)
they all mean the same thing.
This problem arises due to the ambiguous nature of the equation, and it can represent different things for people who follow different conventions. So, the next time you write an equation, try to avoid writing like the above, write as unambiguous as possible, say:
(48/2)(9+3)
Note: Someone suggested that the (9+3) integer be represented by a variable y i.e. 48÷2(y), where y=9+3. Now, it is understood that the order of operations proceeds like usual, and:
48÷2(y) , y = (9+3)
=(48/2)y , y = 12
=24y
=288.
Perhaps this wolfram page will clear any remaining doubts.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%C3%B72%28x%29%2C+x%3D+9%2B3
edit: 48÷2y =/= 48÷2(y)
In reference to the above, one cannot simply remove the parenthesis, as when y=9+3 is applied to the equation, the only solution must be 48÷2(y) as you cannot remove the brackets through substitution of an unknown.
In other words, you cannot remove the brackets by substituting y = 9+3 into ...(9+3). Substitution will only bring about the general form of 48÷2(y), nothing else.
long time ago since i had math in school but ok i belive you :D
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately people will still disagree after seeing this.
ReplyDeletegood work lol
ReplyDeleteActually the answer is 1 :)
ReplyDeleteThe key here is that you do the operations left to right. Some will say that multiplication is first in order of operation because they have learned a mnemonic for order of operations that puts multiplication before division PEMDAS (parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction). Unfortunately, the math does not workout in this particular case.
ReplyDeletePEMDAS works fine as long as you remember that multiplication and divison, along with addition and subtraction are paired together (meaning just work left to right, not worrying about which one to do first). Unfortunately, most forget this
DeleteWell there we have it!
ReplyDeleteNice, usually don't much care for learning about math, but i enjoyed that.
ReplyDeleteThats a hard one, im that stupid that i dont know =(
ReplyDeleteExcellent article
ReplyDeleteNice man now my day is complete now I'm off to bed lol
ReplyDeleteDefinitely 288. I asked my teacher too.
ReplyDeleteFor those that need an explanation, I am a little frustrated. But, great post!
ReplyDelete@metaphysicalfarms
ReplyDeleteIt is not PEMDAS but PEDMAS, or BEDMAS, or BODMAS -> all simply different ways of saying the same thing, but the mnemonic always puts Division BEFORE Multiplication. So, the math does indeed work out.
P=Parenthesis / B=Brackets
E=Exponents / O=Orders
D=Division
M=Multiplication
A=Addition
S=Subtraction.
So the original post as stated works here.
Divison before multiplication isn't a rule. It's
DeleteBrackets
Exponents
Divison and Multiplication (left to right)
Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%2F2%289%2B3%29
ReplyDeleteJust believing Wolfram Alpha in such things.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%3A2%289%2B3%29
DeleteAt least copy it properly.
Fuck, finally someone who gets this. I'll share this article next time someone is doing it wrong
ReplyDeleteSorry, but the answer is 2 and it does not have anything to do with order of operations. The reason is Distributive Properties. The 2 must be distributed to completely resolve the () before moving on. 2*(12) does not equal 2(12); and that is the major issue.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutly correct. 2(9+3)=2(12) Notice there is still a parenthesis. To remove the parenthesis you multiply 2 into it resulting in 24. This follows PEMDAS perfectly. Parenthesis, exponent, multi, div,add, sub. Problem people have is that they are not completing the parenthesis part of the order
DeleteBut if you used the Distributive Law properly, the answer would be 8.67!
Delete48 / 2(9 + 3)
48 / 18 + 6
2.67 + 6
8.67
@Anonymous. Unfortunately the definition of implied multiplication and the Distributive Law of algebra itself disagrees with you.
ReplyDeleteRead more at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributivity
Also, the major issue here is the division symbol, not the 2*(12). 2(12) is clearly 24, but division takes place before the implied multiplication.
@Corridor
ReplyDeleteDivision doesn't take place before multiplication. They are the same, and take place left to right. If you have 2 * 4 / 5* 6 you don't divide 4 by 5 and then multiply across, you multiply 2 by 4, then divide by 5, then multiply again by 6.
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteYes, division is of the same order as multiplication. They do take place from left to right. I never did say otherwise.
2(12) equals 2*(12). The law of distribution does not take place before the division.
Wabun:
ReplyDelete@ Note: Someone suggested that the (9+3) integer be represented by a variable y i.e. 48÷2(y), where y=9+3.
if you mean me by this: i was referring to calculator syntax and that calculators treat two factors written next to each other without the multiplication sign as if they were set into brackets which is obvious if you write it like 2y (everyone knows the calculator treats this as (2*y) ) but not so obvious if you write 2(y+x) (which in calculator syntax is (2*(y+x)) ).
I simply pointed this out because it is the reason why some ppl got 2 as result when typing it in calculators.
Don't always believe your calculator. It won't always give you the right answer.
Deletesorry for the anonymous posters saying it's 2... they are from greece.
ReplyDeletestep by step:
Delete48/2(9+3)
Parenthesis:
48/2(12)
48/24 (it isnt until this step, that the parenthesis portion of PEMDAS is satisfied. Once 2 is multiplied into the parenthesis, the parenthesis are then removed. Now we are free to move on to the next steps of PEDMAS.)
Exponents
There are none
Multiplication/Division
There is no multiplication, but there is division.
48/24= 2
Addition/Subtraction
None
This follows all the orders of operation perfectly...Don't forget to remove the parenthesis before moving on to next step.
This is wrong because you are multiplying 2*12 before you are dividing 48/2...
DeleteThe step from 48/2(12) to 48/24 is wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
DeleteWhatever gives people the idea that the 2 is part of the parenthesis? What's the answer here then - 4(3-1)^2?
DeleteIn mathematics, a multiplication can be represented by one value being next to another in parenthesis. For example, 2*3 can be written also as 2(3). Each give the value of 6. The first step is mathematically correct, simplifying the quantity of 9 plus 3. However, you fail to realize that 2(12) is multiplication. If you had realized that 2(12) is multiplication, you would not have made the error of stating the answer is 2. That is assuming that you know to complete a math problem from left to right.
DeleteThis is correct, and the way he wrote the equation on wolfram in this article is wrong.
DeleteIf you are to change anything into X it would be the complete parenthesis resulting in 48/2x with x being 9+3 or (9+3) if u prefer (means the same thing) and what would wolfram say about that?
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%C3%B72x%2C+x%3D+9%2B3
Simply, the answer is 2.
When you removed the parentheses, you changed the problem.
Deletehttp://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%C3%B72%28x%29%2C+x%3D+9%2B3
When you removed the parentheses, you changed the problem.
Deletehttp://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48%C3%B72%28x%29%2C+x%3D+9%2B3
The answer is 2....even if you work it out long ways...."old math"....you conclude 48/( 2*9 +2*3 ).... Equals 2....
ReplyDeleteWrong wrong wrong... I wouldn't fly in one of your plane.
Deletecorrect its 2, even if u do it how theyre describing. its 48/2 times 1/12 which is still 2. case closed everyone stfu and get a life cuz ur wrong and u fail at being nerds lol
DeleteYou've added parantheses in there that werent there before. There is no bracket after the division sign. You've changed the math to fit your delusion. This is the correct way in terms of algebra:
DeleteIf you had:
48/2*(X+Y)
it would be
24*(X+Y)
Now if X is 9 and Y is 3.
288.
Try typing the equation (correctly without adding brackets) into any programming language and see if you can get 2.
The is 2, now stop fking arguing and move on with your life.
ReplyDelete48/2(9+3) ohk so now BEDMAS or BODMAS tells us that Brackets are first right? and because there is no * next to the 2 you * whats in the brackets so 48/(2*9+2*3) now when you done with the brackets you got 24 sp NOW only you work left to right 48/24=2 thank you very much
ReplyDeleteLearn algebra you retard! you never learned this 2(x+y)= (2x+2y) so in this case it would be 2(9+3)= (2*9+2*3) and you have to solve the braquest first! damm! I cant believe you even had the balls to make a blog about it, you should feel ashamed sir
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-e8fzqv3CE#t=153
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty good in explaining it.
The original equation is not ambiguous unless one doesn't know that a(b+c) is a mathematical shorthand for a*(b+c), along with the other precedence rules. If we ignore those precedence rules we'll have numerous equations that have different answers depending on the whim of whomever is doing the calculation. That's why mathematics has a convention regarding the order of precedence.
ReplyDeleteIn order to frustrate the intellectual progress of the human race, allow me to propose a third solution:
ReplyDeleteBetween two possible solutions, the more elegant is the correct solution. Hence, by the principle of mathematical elegance, the answer is 2.
To all those who say it is 2, you are incorrect. The math problem 48/2(9+3) is read as "48 divided by 2 multiplied by the quantity of 9 plus 3." You would simplify this problem by reading it from left to right. This means you must divide 48 by 2 first before multiplying any value by the quantity of 9 plus 3. This means it would be as such
ReplyDelete48/2(9+3)
24(9+3)
24(12)
288
To all of those who say I should add 9 and 3 first, I am aware of order of operations but this was simply another way to explain the math problem.
Another way to explain it would be to change everything into improper fractions. 48/1 divided by 2/1 multiplied by the quantity of 9/1 plus 3/1. As you may know from the 5th grade, you may divide fractions by multiplying by the reciprocal of the divisor. This will make it 48/1 multiplied by 1/2 multiplied by the the quantity of 9/1 plus 3/1. If you use this method, as they are the same math problem, it will be done as such:
48/2(9+3)
(48/1)(1/2)(9+3)
24(12)
288
The common error is that many people multiply the divisor 2 and the quantity of 9 plus 3 together first. The problem is that the 2 serves as a denominator and to put the quantity of 9 plus 3 in the denominator too would make your entire work mathematically incorrect.
As a rule of thumb, work your orders of operations from left to right.
I think the answer is 2.
ReplyDeleteWhen you type 48/2(9+3), the answer is 288. However, this is ONLY because they spread the equation further to (48/2)*(9+3).
The answer would be 288 if and ONLY IF the parentheses came before 48 and after 2.
If there is no parentheses, the equation ACTUALLY looks like this: 48/(2(9+3)). The key problem of this equation is not the division sign, but the parentheses.
This also goes for the variable concept. Changing (9+3) to y actually makes the equation 48/2y, making the answer 2.
I don't know if I'm correct, but this is what I think. I think that the placing of the parentheses is so important and is the problem to this controversy.
Why do you say, "...the equation ACTUALLY looks like this: 48/(2(9+3))." Why do you add the extra set of parentheses? Is it because that's the only way to make the answer come out as 2? Leave the extra parens out, evaluate the problem as it's written, and the answer is 288. 48 divided by 2 (24) times 9+3 (12). 24x12 = 288.
ReplyDeleteJust as 2x or 2y represents a number 2() also represents a number
DeleteOK guys... here's my demonstration....
ReplyDelete48:2(9+3) =
= 4(9+3):2(9+3) = [pongo (9+3)=x]
= 4x : 2x =
= 2
http://www.studygs.net/pemdas/pemdas2.htm
ReplyDeleteThe reason the answer can't be 2 is this
ReplyDelete2(9+3) = 24
24/2 = 12
So (2(9+3)/2 = 12
If we set the equation equal to 2
48/2(9+3) = 2
If this is true we can divide both sides by 2 and the left and right sides will still be equal
for those saying you distribute the two first consider this
48/2(9+3) = 2
---------- --
2. 2
If you consider 2 as the coefficient of (9+3)
you would end up with this
24/12 =1 this is not true, the coefficient of (9+3) was actually 48/2 or 24
the only to get 2 is if you thought the / was a fraction bar
The / is a fraction bar. 50/3 is the same as 50 over 3.
Delete2y = y + y
ReplyDelete2y equal the PRODUCT of 2 and y, ie, the product of 2 * y.
2y = (2y) = (2(y)) = y + y = (y+y)
48/2y = 24/y
What is 1a/1a ? It is 1.
The algebraic notation invoke algebraic thinking:
2(9+3) = [(9+3) + (9+3)]
The 2 is a factor of the 2 terms inside the parentheses.
research "factorizing" or "factorization".
Also look up how a group of coefficients are communtative.
abc/xyz is (abc)/(xyz)
Google around. There are many math and algebra sites which show how this is done and why, and there are NONE that say "Insert a multiplication sign between all factors, then solve"
Have you ever been taught this or seen it is a math text??
http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/algebra/unit2/parenth.htm
This shows inline division. There are OTHER SITES TOO!! See for youself.
What is cos2x ? Trust me, it isn't cos2 * x, or xcos2... 2x is (2x) and cos2x is cos(2x)
What is 2/3² ? It is not (2/3)².
If you want to use fractions or expressions, you need to contain them in parentheses.
48/2(9+3) is not (48/2)(9+3).
2 is clearly the coefficient of (9+3), as coefficients are directly adjecacent to the parentheses without other operators. If you want to factor our (48/2) from 216 + 72, you get: 216 + 72 = (48/2)9 + (48/2)3 = (48/2)(9+3)
I have been trying to tell people this for YEARS
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on which order of operations you use.
ReplyDeleteIf using Division before Multiplication:
48/2(9+3)
48/2(12)
24(12)
288
However, if you're using Multiplication first:
48/2(9+3)
48/2(12)
48/(24)
2
It all depends on the interpretation and what mathematical state of operations you use. For example: My calculator says 2, yet Wolfram says 288. It all depends on the order.