48÷2(9+3) =

[busydude]

The fact that this community is divided over the answer.. indicates how ambiguous the expression is.

P.S. I voted for 288

 

[Arcadio]

I like how the 288 supporters think they're right and want the thread ended. Sounds awfully unsure of their position.

Wat? We follow the established rules. We get 288. End of story.

 

[Arcadio]

Okay, who here would interpret 6x² ÷ 2x to get 3x^3? Anyone who's not a troll?

Go ahead, speedemon, stick in 2's and 3's. The rest of the world is going to get 3x, not 3x^3.

The rest of the world would probably get 3x, but it doesn't make it right. That's why an expression like that is never written that way: to prevent people from making the mistake of thinking the answer is 3x.

 

[brtspears2]

Rewritten correctly so there is no fight:

48/(2(9+3)) = 2
(48/2)(9+3) = 288

 

[HumblePie]

Rewritten correctly so there is no fight:

48/(2(9+3)) = 2
(48/2)(9+3) = 288

And that would be proper inline math short form notation.

 

[James Bond]

so people think a/b*c actually means a/(b*c)???

This basically sums up the entire thread.

 

[gsellis]

It should be 288. But.... if you were writing an interpreter for it, it would end up as 2. Because the 2( is a special notation, you have to evaluate it. Which would lead to about everyone "compiling" it to write the first pass as solving it at 2. I learned RPN once and I have been screwed up every since anyway.

 

[Imp]

The fact that this community is divided over the answer.. indicates how ambiguous the expression is.

P.S. I voted for 288

Wrong, half of you are stupad!!!!!!

 

[totalnoob]

Hitler weighs in on the issue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwpWw-iVKHc&feature=player_embedded#at=144

 

[shortylickens]

6 pages huh?

I think I know why America is slipping to the bottom.

 

[BrokenVisage]

How did 2 take the lead?? This is preposterous! I demand spidey's alt. account votes be revoked!

 

[cronos]

lol 2 is now winning wtf

 

[her209]

How did 2 take the lead?? This is preposterous! I demand spidey's alt. account votes be revoked!

2 is winning because its the correct answer.

 

[DrPizza]

Hitler weighs in on the issue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwpWw-iVKHc&feature=player_embedded#at=144

This deserves to be bumped, just for this youtube video.

"Even that godawful php!"

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

2 is winning because its the correct answer.

no it is not.

 

[nanette1985]

2 is winning because its the correct answer.

2 is winning because those here who know math, know that the expression is a not a real expression. Therefore real math folks aren't answering because there is no answer. The folks voting in the poll are people who don't know much.

My guess is that 2 is winning because most people here don't have 288 fingers & toes.

EDIT I voted 288 because I'm a programmer

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Okay, who here would interpret 6x² ÷ 2x to get 3x^3? Anyone who's not a troll?

Go ahead, speedemon, stick in 2's and 3's. The rest of the world is going to get 3x, not 3x^3.

The problem is because you're using variables, and 2x is accepted as a term 2x. No one has to write it as (2x).

When you start writing the original problem as is, you treat 2(9+3) as 2*(9+3). This is independent of the division that's present. Even with the division, the lack of sufficient parenthesis implies that you convert 2(9+3) into 2*(9+3).

If you wanted to be cool with implied multiplication YET wanted to make sure that the whole term went under the fraction, you would've written it 48÷(2(9+3)). But since it's not, 288 is clearly correct.

You're using 2x, 3x, 5x^2 or whatever as examples, but it's clear that we treat them as one term. 2x. 3x. 5x^2.

Do you treat 2(9+3) as one whole term? It's more like (x+1)(x+2) than it is x^2.

The other thing about x^2 is it's an implied (x*x). 1/x^2 is not 1/x*x. It's 1/(x*x). I'd interpret 1/x*x as 1 and not 1/x^2

 

[M0RPH]

It's intentionally written in a way to confuse people. All you people who are mocking those who answered 2 should at least acknowledge that.

a ÷ b(c) (people naturally want to do the multiplication first since it appears grouped)
a ÷ b x c (most will get it right now)

 

[SP33Demon]

The problem is because you're using variables, and 2x is accepted as a term 2x. No one has to write it as (2x).

When you start writing the original problem as is, you treat 2(9+3) as 2*(9+3). This is independent of the division that's present. Even with the division, the lack of sufficient parenthesis implies that you convert 2(9+3) into 2*(9+3).

If you wanted to be cool with implied multiplication YET wanted to make sure that the whole term went under the fraction, you would've written it 48÷(2(9+3)). But since it's not, 288 is clearly correct.

You're using 2x, 3x, 5x^2 or whatever as examples, but it's clear that we treat them as one term. 2x. 3x. 5x^2.

Do you treat 2(9+3) as one whole term? It's more like (x+1)(x+2) than it is x^2.

The other thing about x^2 is it's an implied (x*x). 1/x^2 is not 1/x*x. It's 1/(x*x). I'd interpret 1/x*x as 1 and not 1/x^2

Pizza is just trolling by adding the variables. He knows everything you just said.

 

[Kev]

I voted 2, and I can't believe there are over 500 posts arguing this poorly written expression.

You would literally never see a problem written like this in any real world situation.

 

[James Bond]

It's intentionally written in a way to confuse people. All you people who are mocking those who answered 2 should at least acknowledge that.

a ÷ b(c) (people naturally want to do the multiplication first since it appears grouped)
a ÷ b x c (most will get it right now)

Exactly.

 

[Syringer]

It's intentionally written in a way to confuse people. All you people who are mocking those who answered 2 should at least acknowledge that.

a ÷ b(c) (people naturally want to do the multiplication first since it appears grouped)
a ÷ b x c (most will get it right now)

I think this is actually a more appropriate analogy:

a ÷ bc

Or what if it was

a/bc

 

[SSSnail]

It's intentionally written in a way to confuse people. All you people who are mocking those who answered 2 should at least acknowledge that.

a ÷ b(c) (people naturally want to do the multiplication first since it appears grouped)
a ÷ b x c (most will get it right now)

But that's just it, the lot that somehow "naturally" want to do the multiplication first because it "appears grouped" is wrong. Just because it "appears grouped" doesn't make it ACTUALLY grouped.

The poll confirms my suspicion, that there are roughly 50% stupid people out there, in any group.

 

[BladeVenom]

It's intentionally written in a way to confuse people. All you people who are mocking those who answered 2 should at least acknowledge that.

Except people are still trying to say it's 2. They aren't admitting they made a mistake, they are defending their mistake, and convincing other that it's 2.

 

[zinfamous]

I gotta admit, I've been pulling for 2 for a couple of days now.

Shows how I really feel about most of you bastahds!

:awe: