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48÷2(9+3) =

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48÷2(9+3) =

  • ?

  • 288

  • 2

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this kind of thing is why i think division should be banned from being taught.

(48)(1/2)(3+9), or (48)(1/(2(3+9)))

edit: same with subtraction.
 
spidey07 said:
You fools need to look up distributive property. The answer is 2.
Click to expand...

The distributive property is simply multiplication in an expanded written form to, supposedly, allow for easier reading/understanding of what's going on. The reason you might incorrectly think that distribution holds a higher precedence in the order of operations is because it's only used by most people in algebra/geometry during high school and only taken to the extent of: 2x(4x + 7) + 8x^2(x -2) . As such, distribution for many may appear to be higher in the order of operations because 99% of the population only deals with it through adding/subtracting values that have been distributed (and multiplication is always performed before adding and subtracting). Distribution holds the same weight as multiplication in the order of operations because the distributive property is multiplication.

Also, whoever thinks there's something called an "implied parenthesis" is a fool. There's no such thing. There is an order of operations and there are parentheses.

The answer is 288.
 
mrjminer said:
the distributive property is simply multiplication in an expanded written form to, supposedly, allow for easier reading/understanding of what's going on. The reason you might incorrectly think that distribution holds a higher precedence in the order of operations is because it's only used by most people in algebra/geometry during high school and only taken to the extent of: 2x(4x + 7) + 8x^2(x -2) . As such, distribution for many may appear to be higher in the order of operations because 99% of the population only deals with it through adding/subtracting values that have been distributed (and multiplication is always performed before adding and subtracting). Distribution holds the same weight as multiplication in the order of operations because the distributive property is multiplication.

Also, whoever thinks there's something called an "implied parenthesis" is a fool. There's no such thing. There is an order of operations and there are parentheses.

The answer is 288.
Click to expand...

bingo!!
 
multiplication and division are read in order.

a computer will read this as 288.

maybe we should go back to reverse polish notation so you never need crazy order of operations rules and parenthesis and crap
 
For those of you claiming distributive property, hello?

48/2(9+3)
(48/2)9 + (48/2)3
(24)9 + (24)3
216 + 72
288

Same thing. You can't distribute just the 2 to the 9 and 3, as it isn't really a 2, it is a 48/2. This isn't the same as:

48
---------
2(9+3)

Because then you'd have 48 * (1 /(2(9+3)), which is not what is written. The answer is 288 as written.

EDIT:

It IS the same as:

48
--- (9+3)
2
 
Last edited:
To be fair order of operations is something that comp sci people would pay attention to MUCH more than even math majors.
 
Locut0s said:
To be fair order of operations is something that comp sci people would pay attention to MUCH more than even math majors.
Click to expand...

to be fair, if you are a math major and don't know the order of basic operations, you are a complete and total failure.
 
TheNinja said:
I actually believe the right answer is that it can be either.
Click to expand...
Surely you don't really mean that, and you're just trolling.

TBH, I thought the answer was 2 until I thought about it a little. It's been 20 years since my last math class.
 
MSP75719f3fg04130f464100005739ab9adc4a5bhi


OP should have written the equation as shown above.

48/2 = 24
(9+3) = 12
24 (12) = 288
 
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