48÷2(9+3) = ????

[PingPong]

I'm going with 2 for the simple reason that (48÷2)(9+3) = 288 so 48÷2(9+3) = 2, in my mind anyway

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/48%C3%B7293
Saw it on this forum, even the investment bankers can't agree

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthrea ... =133389973
Thats the original thread and the poll shows 1534 think its 2 and 1226 think its 288

Discuss

*edit*

Poll added.

[Lithe_Joint]

Dude my math sucks.

I was ready to totally mess with you, but you are correct with your formula.

Because 9+3=12.
12 x 2=24

Thus 48/24 = 2

[Prime]

And I thought picknpay employees were illiterate

[Bladerunner]

EDIT2: You know, scratch all that, I'm talking out of my bottom again.

[Lithe_Joint]

And I thought picknpay employees were illiterate

Wise bottom! Of course they are illiterate!

I didn't know you worked there too

[Lithe_Joint]

WTF is a wise bottom?

[Bladerunner]

WTF is a wise bottom?

This forum is censored similarly to North Korean newspapers. Anything remotely related to a swear word is given a nicer word or asterisks.

Look, thinking about it now, it seems to be nothing more than a new method of trolling...

It's quite ambiguous. You can present a number of arguments for both sides, but it's not possible to give a 100% definite answer.

The fact that you have 2(9+3) gives the impression that the entire element is the numerator, which will give you an answer of 2. You could also reason 2(9+3) = 2 * 12 and then you have 48 / 2 * 12 which will give you 288.

[Lithe_Joint]

Yes, you can look at it in this fashion. But.

Even in the most complex formulas, there are rules which prevent erroneous interpretation.

If you work with formulas every day, you'll soon realise that there can only be one correct answer. The others are incorrect.

[Bladerunner]

Yes, you can look at it in this fashion. But.

Even in the most complex formulas, there are rules which prevent erroneous interpretation.

If you work with formulas (formulae actually) every day, you'll soon realise that there can only be one correct answer. The others are incorrect.

I assume you work with formulas daily? But in your own words, you "suck" at math?

I thought as much. Just logged on to 4chan and found this: (Language alert)
http://hashcookie.net/uploads/83920dedbb_troll.jpg

[Lithe_Joint]

Ouch! that was a stab AND a twist of the blade

However, if I were to be great at math, I would be famous by now...which I ain't.

[RuadRauFlessa]

The answer is 2. And I can't see how people with grade 9 math will even fail on that. You have order of precedence on any operator multiply > device > + = -

You have to multiply into the brackets before you can divide.

[Bladerunner]

The answer is 2. And I can't see how people with grade 9 math will even fail on that. You have order of precedence on any operator multiply > device > + = -

You have to multiply into the brackets before you can divide.

No, the brackets apply to what's inside of it. Not the outside. Again, it's too ambiguous to say for sure.

(BTW, if you're interested, both Google and Wolfram Alpha disagree with you )

And multiply and divide are regarded as equals. Neither enjoys a higher rank.

[Prime]

And I thought picknpay employees were illiterate

Wise bottom! Of course they are illiterate!

I didn't know you worked there too

I'd murder the lot of them and hide the bodies in cold storage.

One store clerk tried to tell me 6.8*10 was not 68.

The answer is 2. And I can't see how people with grade 9 math will even fail on that. You have order of precedence on any operator multiply > device > + = -

You have to multiply into the brackets before you can divide.

No, the brackets apply to what's inside of it. Not the outside. Again, it's too ambiguous to say for sure.

(BTW, if you're interested, both Google and Wolfram Alpha disagree with you )

That's because Google and Wolfram are computer programs. They aren't idiot and troll proof.

It's not ambiguous in the least.
48/2 (9+3) = 288
48/2(9+3) = 2

Why?
48/2 (9+3) = 48(9+3)/2

the lack of a space implies 2*(9+3)

[RuadRauFlessa]

The answer is 2. And I can't see how people with grade 9 math will even fail on that. You have order of precedence on any operator multiply > device > + = -

You have to multiply into the brackets before you can divide.

No, the brackets apply to what's inside of it. Not the outside. Again, it's too ambiguous to say for sure.

(BTW, if you're interested, both Google and Wolfram Alpha disagree with you )

And multiply and divide are regarded as equals. Neither enjoys a higher rank.

Ok then consider the following

A / 2 (B + C)

Get rid of the brackets....

[GreyWolf]

as far as I know multiplication precedes division. so the answer IS 2

[Tribble]

Nope - Division comes first. BODMAS
B=Brackets
O=Operator/Power of
D=Divide
M=Multiply
A=Add
S=Subtract

The answer is 288 and according to the above order of precedence it cannot be 2. Even Excel agrees with me.

I know that usually it doesn't matter if you divide or multiply first - but in this case it makes all the difference.

[Anakha56]

Erm Tribz I seem to remember my math teacher in high school saying that it can be swapped.

BODMAS
BOMDAS

But meh my math really sucked so maybe I was daydreaming when he was teaching...

[KatrynKat]

you are correct!!

and both answers are correct.... depending on how you see the equation....

[Tribble]

Perhaps for math students - but in the business world the order is BODMAS

[PingPong]

I guess it comes down to whether divide has precedence over multiplication or vice versa. Excel doesn't give 288, it requires you to change the formula and then gives 288.

My calculator gives 2 though.

[RuadRauFlessa]

I went and checked the rules again Tribbs.... multiply and devide are on the same level

exponents
brackets
devision and multiplication
addition and subtraction

Thing is it goes on to say that if you have something on the same line you can swop them around but as a rule of thumb you do them in the order they were written. But having said that the parenthesis in this equation changes everything. You can legally multiply the 2 into the brackets before doing the addition within the brackets.

x = 48 ÷ 2(9+3)
x = 48 ÷ (18+6)
x = 48 ÷ 24
x = 2

It is the same as
x = 48 ÷ 2(a+b)
x = 48 ÷ (2a+2b)

[Synthesis]

You're all wrong. The ultimate answer is 42

[Stuart]

as far as I know multiplication precedes division. so the answer IS 2

That's not what I was taught in high school. But then I went to Bracken High (and like 15 years ago) so don't take my word for it.

[Tribble]

I guess it comes down to whether divide has precedence over multiplication or vice versa. Excel doesn't give 288, it requires you to change the formula and then gives 288.

My calculator gives 2 though.

True - but in Excel you know you have to add the * between the 2 and the (

[KatrynKat]

@Synth: