Rocky Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 48 ÷ 2 (9+3) What's the answer? I found this at the start of a really heated debate on another forum, I have not googled for an answer but I suspect doing so would spoil the fun of this thread. So post up your answer, no cheating. Honor system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twcrash Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 (edited) Answer removed due to "goggling the answer" It was beyond my pay grade lol Edited April 7, 2011 by twcrash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Good job you edited, I was about to slap you with a posting suspension! I disagree with your googled answer anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannik Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Okay then. 48 ÷ 2 (9+3)=24(9+3)=24(12)=288 -fin- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZJJ Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Assuming he has the right calculation for 24(12), I agree with Dannik. And we know that I am always right. The order of operations is as follows: (1) Evaluate the parentheses. (9+3) (2) Evaluate the exponents. (none in this example) (3) Multiply or divide starting from the left. (4) Add or subtract starting from the left (none in this example). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS PALADIN Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Shouldn't it be 48 /2(12) = 48/24 = 2 From doing java you do all calculations inside the brackets then start the full calculation after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZJJ Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Shouldn't it be 48 /2(12) = 48/24 = 2 That is the big debate! However, IMO, you would be wrong. Yes, you do the calculations inside the brackets first, then you work the problem left to right so the first thing you do is divide 48/2 then multiply by 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 ZJJ is right. That's the way of doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WytchDokta Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 (edited) BoDMAS - Brackets over Division, Multiplication, Addition, then Subtraction. Don't they teach this stuff in schools anymore? Edited April 9, 2011 by WytchDokta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 So, what's your answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WytchDokta Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 My answer is: 1+1=11. If you were expecting a 'typical' answer you won't get one from me, no-one will, as I'm not your 'typical' person. The reason for my answer lies in the probability of the BODMAS acronym not being taught correctly. Teachers who bring the BODMAS rule into the equation are divided on the meaning of the O - a fraction of them will say it stands for Orders, a small volume of them will subtract the P and have you believe it stands for Powers (WTH, since when did P's in acronyms become O's?), others estimate the root of the O to be (or not to be) Over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Hmm, what are they teaching in schools today, apparently not comprehension! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WytchDokta Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I wouldn't know, ten years have passed since I did my final exams at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operative Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 (edited) I really don't know how to properly right this, but anyway 48 ÷ 2 (9+3) The biggest problem is the way the equation is written (is 12 multiplicating [is this the right word?] 48/2 or only 2?) So, we have two possibilities: 48/2.12 = 48/24 = 2 And, 48.12/2 = 288 I think the second one is right. The first one would be right (in my humble opinion) if the equation was written like 48/(2 [9+3]) EDIT: Well, maybe, hmmm, I'm not sure Can I argue that this is not enought to solve it? Edited April 10, 2011 by Operative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanMF Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 When did they stop teaching "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thales100 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Danik is right imo, 288. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Okay then. 48 ÷ 2 (9+3)=24(9+3)=24(12)=288 -fin- When did they stop teaching "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally"? These. Order of operations goes from left to right, just like reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WytchDokta Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Order of operations goes from left to right, just like reading. Not in all languages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 What language are you reading? What language are you writing? What language do you speak? And in languages that are read from right to left (like Arabic) math is still done from left to right. Maybe that's why it's called the universal language? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROCO*AFZ* Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Isn't chinese vertical? Not sure about their math though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 We're keeping things horizontal... for the sake of simplicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WytchDokta Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Isn't chinese vertical? Not sure about their math though My point exactly. Also, in some languages the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division symbols are swapped around. So the answer would be something completely different in those languages. Edited April 13, 2011 by WytchDokta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) BoDMAS - Brackets over Division, Multiplication, Addition, then Subtraction. Don't they teach this stuff in schools anymore? they do but it is Bidmas now brackets indices divide multply add subtact i'm not going to answer the question because from a philosiphy (or how it is spelt) point of view, everyone is right. who says the right answer is indeed the right answer? it's a free world there is no right or wrong. your arm doesnt stop you from stabbing someone, turn around and say to you "hey dude that's not right" does it? and if it does i want the ###### your on! Edited April 13, 2011 by Zeealex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruin Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 No... math functions the exact same way in any language in any country. The way it's written might change, but the answer will not. 2 + 2 = 4 Always, anywhere, anytime, any language... there is no change. Same thing with the order of operations. They don't change because you speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabis, Ethiopian, French, Rastafarian, Creole, etc... That's the thing about math, there is only one right answer, ever. Pi is always Pi, no matter what. My initial comparison of order of operations going from left to right might have been aimed at English speakers (since that's what we're all speaking here), but the answer to the original problem does not change based on what language you speak. Ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeealex Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) but who says it HAS to be 4? it could be a load of gobbaldy goop on another planet . it could be 3 billion, numbers are products of some idiot and very strong drugs i have always argued with y math teacher on this and she usually gives up quite easily. but when it comes to tests i put the "right" answer and no, Pi is Pie Edited April 13, 2011 by JohnTC02 Removed Unnecessary Quote - when replying to the latest post there is no need to quote the whole post - Please use the "Add Reply" button instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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