Pretty much sums up the conclusion! Both is correct! If you read further in the wikipedia page, in algebra, it's 288; in computer programming, it's 2!http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/48293 huh....they don't mention perb in their spread section.... lol
The way the equation is written 48÷2(9+3) = ? should lead to an answer of 288 as most people have suggested. Basic order of operations.
I think the confusion comes when you write it as 48/2(9+3). Does the / indicate that this is 48 over 2(9+3)? If you think of it as a fraction in this fashion then yes the answer would be 2.
From what I remember, you do the equation in the brackets first, followed by division & multiplication, then lastly addition & subtraction equations. It does not matter where such equations are situated - just go from left to right.
So in this case, the answer should be 288.
You would get 2 if the equation was: 48/(2(9+3))
I do have a math degree, but this is grade 4 math, so who cares.
Did you read what I write? When it comes to multiplication and division, it's very important to specify which one they wanna do first because the result when you do it in the order as described is not exactly identical of the other way around. Practise more and you'll know!There is nothing confusing about this equation if you understand basic mathematics.
The equation is not poorly written. Just poor math skills by the people getting confused by it.
288. No debate.
Sorry folks, but it isn't ambiguous. It is universally known (or at least was when I took Algebra in grade school) that 2(9+3) is the same as 2x(9+3).Buy this T-shirt:
http://www.zazzle.com/48_2_9_3_tshirt-235882834792365529
The original question is ambiguous. If it had been written as 48 ÷ 2 x (9+3), the answer would clearly be 288. However, the question can easily be interpreted as 48/2(9+3), in which case the answer is 2.
Shoot the writer and find someone else who can make their intentions clear.![]()
You can't be more wrong. Multiplication & division carry the same weight so you always do them in the order that they are presented, left to right unless they are in brackets.Did you read what I write? When it comes to multiplication and division, it's very important to specify which one they wanna do first because the result when you do it in the order as described is not exactly identical of the other way around. Practise more and you'll know!
Then why can we do addition and subtraction from left to right or right to left or which ever way we want and still get the same answer? For god's sake, they carry the same weight too! So, yes, this equation is ambiguous! Like I said, 288 or 2 are both correct answer!You can't be more wrong. Multiplication & division carry the same weight so you always do them in the order that they are presented, left to right unless they are in brackets.
The question is not ambiguous and no, 2 is not the correct answer - pretty obvious by now. This is grade 8 math - sorry if you've forgotten but it's pretty pointless to argue with fact. I don't make the rules, I just apply them.Then why can we do addition and subtraction from left to right or right to left or which ever way we want and still get the same answer? For god's sake, they carry the same weight too! So, yes, this equation is ambiguous! Like I said, 288 or 2 are both correct answer!
Did you read what I write? When it comes to multiplication and division, it's very important to specify which one they wanna do first because the result when you do it in the order as described is not exactly identical of the other way around. Practise more and you'll know!
Then what about people who are in computer science? Multiplication has the highest precedence than division! This is why the equation is ambiguous! Computer people will tell you it's 2!Uhhh...yes. I did read what you wrote. Unfortunately you don't know what you're talking about.
When it comes to multiplication and division its always left to right if its not specified. Sorry...but maybe you need to retake your elementary math courses again.
Believe me...I do "know" that you don't "know".
No they won't.Then what about people who are in computer science? Multiplication has the highest precedence than division! This is why the equation is ambiguous! Computer people will tell you it's 2!
I wonder if you ever take computer science courses.No they won't.
Please, we are not writing a computer program nor learning a programming language. Let's not confuse basic elementary math skills with other rules needed for programming computers. Basic math skills haven't changed in a long time and were around a hell of a lot sooner than computers. The ambiguity only exists in the equation if you second guess what was meant. According to the basic rules (which many seem to have forgotten and are adding yet other rules of their own), the answer is 288. If the person who wrote the equation wanted 2 to be the answer then they made an error and should have written it differently.I wonder if you ever take computer science courses.![]()
This is the reason why we are debating! What is this person's point of view?If the person who wrote the equation wanted 2 to be the answer then they made an error and should have written it differently.





