48÷2(9+3) = ???

[foreverdecember21]

50 #*$$!*+ PAGES THOUGH!? 

 

[snakeyes17]

Originally Posted by balloonoboy

It can either be 288, 2, or 8.6666
There is however a third possible answer. If we are to distribute the parenthetical and not solve, since doing so would be addition, which comes later in the order of operations, we would get the following.

48/2(9+3)=

Everything is the same as the previous example in this step, however, once distribution occurs we are left with two monomials that are not joined by a parenthesis

48/18+6=

Now, if we are to follow the order of operations, we divide first and then add.

2.6666+6=

8.6666

---

In theory, none of these answers are wrong, but it's a sure shot that someone who is just learning PEMDAS, will get 288, assuming they know nothing about distribution. Someone else who has already been exposed to the other method of distribution, will get 2. And those others who were taught that once unlike terms are distributed, the parenthesis is dissolved, will arrive at 8.6666

Please, 8.6666666666 is not the answer....
Monomials? There are NOT any variables
It doesn't matter what happens inside the parentheses, it HAS to be done first. There is no distribution, there are not any UNLIKE terms.

Originally Posted by usainboltisfast

Originally Posted by FlashEightZero

what's the issue, divide first or multiply first?

multiply first: 48 / (2*(9+3)) = 2
divide first: (48/2) * (9+3) = 288

the way the problem is written it's ambiguous. whatever operation you do first determines what answer you get

The only right way is to do division first.

 

[snakeyes17]

Originally Posted by balloonoboy

It can either be 288, 2, or 8.6666
There is however a third possible answer. If we are to distribute the parenthetical and not solve, since doing so would be addition, which comes later in the order of operations, we would get the following.

48/2(9+3)=

Everything is the same as the previous example in this step, however, once distribution occurs we are left with two monomials that are not joined by a parenthesis

48/18+6=

Now, if we are to follow the order of operations, we divide first and then add.

2.6666+6=

8.6666

---

In theory, none of these answers are wrong, but it's a sure shot that someone who is just learning PEMDAS, will get 288, assuming they know nothing about distribution. Someone else who has already been exposed to the other method of distribution, will get 2. And those others who were taught that once unlike terms are distributed, the parenthesis is dissolved, will arrive at 8.6666

Please, 8.6666666666 is not the answer....
Monomials? There are NOT any variables
It doesn't matter what happens inside the parentheses, it HAS to be done first. There is no distribution, there are not any UNLIKE terms.

Originally Posted by usainboltisfast

Originally Posted by FlashEightZero

what's the issue, divide first or multiply first?

multiply first: 48 / (2*(9+3)) = 2
divide first: (48/2) * (9+3) = 288

the way the problem is written it's ambiguous. whatever operation you do first determines what answer you get

The only right way is to do division first.

 

[los angeles fresh]

288. And that's it...

 

[los angeles fresh]

288. And that's it...

 

[russ tha g]

My uncle, the MIT grad, NASA engineer says...

288
"I'm going with 288 because you do Div and Mult in order you come to them"

 

[russ tha g]

My uncle, the MIT grad, NASA engineer says...

288
"I'm going with 288 because you do Div and Mult in order you come to them"

 

[ricky409]

50 pages, though....

 

[ricky409]

50 pages, though....

 

[Deleted member 38182]

Originally Posted by Russ tha G

^ First post shows four calculators of different types with both answers though.

Good thing I only tried it on 1 calculator

 
Easier to come up with an answer with no conflicting results 

 

[Deleted member 38182]

Originally Posted by Russ tha G

^ First post shows four calculators of different types with both answers though.

Good thing I only tried it on 1 calculator

 
Easier to come up with an answer with no conflicting results 

 

[queencitysneakerqueen]

I can't believe this is 50 pages

 

[queencitysneakerqueen]

I can't believe this is 50 pages

 

[g to tha t]

hmm I tried solving this using both division and fraction sign and I get this...

 

[g to tha t]

hmm I tried solving this using both division and fraction sign and I get this...

 

[curiousgeorg3]

are there any math/engineering/science students here who have come up with 2?

 

[curiousgeorg3]

are there any math/engineering/science students here who have come up with 2?

 

[th0ugh]

The answer is Friday. As in all of you spent your friday night arguing over an expression written poorly on purpose...everybody in this thread is ******ed

 

[th0ugh]

The answer is Friday. As in all of you spent your friday night arguing over an expression written poorly on purpose...everybody in this thread is ******ed

 

[senor chang]

50 pgs of this??? I thought this thread was maybe a PYP in disguise. But 50 pgs of a math problem....LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

[senor chang]

50 pgs of this??? I thought this thread was maybe a PYP in disguise. But 50 pgs of a math problem....LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

[grypr33]

Originally Posted by senor chang

50 pgs of this??? I thought this thread was maybe a PYP in disguise. But 50 pgs of a math problem....LOL!!!!!!!!!!

^ 1000th post

 

[grypr33]

Originally Posted by senor chang

50 pgs of this??? I thought this thread was maybe a PYP in disguise. But 50 pgs of a math problem....LOL!!!!!!!!!!

^ 1000th post

 

[imthekang]

if using P.E.M.D.A.S. the correct answer is 2.....

48/2(9+3)

48/2*12

48/24

=2

 

[imthekang]

if using P.E.M.D.A.S. the correct answer is 2.....

48/2(9+3)

48/2*12

48/24

=2