Ok, it is time for Homework - 48÷2(9+3) = ???

[david_b]

Hey guys,
I just put the equation into Microsoft Excel and the answer came to 288

=SUM(48/2*(9+3))

Yes, the answer is 2.. It was not entered correctly. It is technically not a 'Summation', but 'Division', so Excel did not understand/observe the computing process involved.

Incidentally, it's a/b=c, where a is called the dividend, b the divisor and c the quotient. We're looking for the quotient.

david_b

[david_b]

I ALWAYS LOVED CALCULUS.., and was going for a Math Major in College back in the day.., but Geometry 'proofs' always screwed with my head.

I still use my sliderule, just to be hip around the office.

"Once a Geek, always a Geek."

[David Lee]

Hey guys,
I just put the equation into Microsoft Excel and the answer came to 288

=SUM(48/2*(9+3))

and Bill Gates made $1...

BTW tricky math questions make me angry. You know this equation is set up to make some d-bag feel smarter than everyone else; because most people will do math in the logical way they were taught. This only serves to make someone feel inadequate about their math skills... to me that's just poor.

-Dave

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Hey guys,
I just put the equation into Microsoft Excel and the answer came to 288

=SUM(48/2*(9+3))

[theantiquetiger]

Here is the best explanation I have seen:

48÷2(9+3) can be rewritten 48 x .5 x 12

[theantiquetiger]

48÷2(9+3)≠48÷(2(9+3))

[toyman]

The answer is 288,but I am not a math teacher .

[The Toyroom]

Bryan, I got your back....The answer is "2"

[sauce]

I can see why that looks correct, but now I need a math teacher to explain whether and why. I'll be back with an answer next week when we're in session.

[theantiquetiger]

I saw a thread on this in another forum. It is 25 pages long!!!!

The correct answer is 288.

The most common mistake is completing this 2(9+3) before dividing that into 48.

First thing complete this (9+3)

Now the parantheses is complete, the equation looks like 48 divided by 2 times 12

You always go left from right when doing multiplacations and division.

So it is (48/2)x12

Equals 288

[sauce]

If the answer is 288, then the equation would look like this:

(48/2) * (9+3)

[sauce]

Heh
Apparently, the world is DIVIDED over this equation. . .

I'm just saying that the equation signifies 2 times 12 once the parentheses are directly next to a number. The equation should be rewritten for clarity:

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

[Wise4671]

Yes. Left to right. Agreed there.
But it's divided by 2x12.
It does not say first divide by 2 and then x12.

kind of does "Multiplication doesn't take precedence over division" but I'm going to let it go at that. You feel strongly that you are right and so do I and I think we both may be to bull headed to say were wrong even though I'm pretty positive I'm right

[sauce]

Yes. Left to right. Agreed there.
But it's divided by 2x12.
It does not say first divide by 2 and then x12.

[sauce]

The invisible multiply symbol
Don't forget it and the answer will be two