See, this is what is so annoying. You say words like 'right' and 'wrong' when it is ENTIRELY a matter of interpretation of a vague equation. 30 years ago, with the same utter arrogant condescension that you kids are using today, you would have been told you were WRONG if you got 288. But so what? I get it. They teach it differently now than they did then. That's why this thread is here in the first place, because whoever put it out there knows darn well that how this is taught has changed over the years, and they enjoy watching people argue. I am just laughing at the people who snottily declare that people are dumb just because the way they were taught it is different. But yeah, whatever. People reveal their character when they least expect it.. lol
I wrote this in a different forum "Anyways it boils down to 2: If you are determining the intent of the person posing the equation 288: What is technically correct. /thread. " "As an engineer I will always read it as 2, though 288 is technically the right answer. If someone were to pose that question to me I would answer 2 every time Why? Because I don't want to believe someone would be that stupid as to pose a equation in that fashion and still mean 288." The purpose of an equation is to simplify not convolute. If the answer was 288, the proper way to phrase that problem would be 48(9+3)/2 Anytime you group 2(9+3) you are implying that you want these two number together in the denominator. Most math and engineering people will leave out parenthesis because you are implying that based on how you set up the equation.
You might be right ...what do I know? Just a regular guy trying to keep the 'service engine soon' light off
Nope. Pretty sure the ancient Greeks even knew it was 288. Lolz like you, who can't admit he's wrong.
the problem with your example is that the answer is the same no matter which you do first or how you group each integer. In the original equation it does matter which order you preform each step.
Yes, it does. People who argue Multiplication comes before Division in PEMDAS would solve it using Addition before Subtraction like: 2 - 3 + 1 = X 2 - 4 = -2 Smart people who know how to do math correctly would solve it left to right: 2 - 3 + 1 = X -1 + 1 = 0 Which is the correct answer? Omgzzzz don't know must consult Excel and my accountant/engineer/lawyer friends!!!
Come on people. It would be 2 if the equation was 48÷(2(9+3)). That 48÷2(9+3) represent 48÷2x(9+3) so what you get is (48)÷(2)x(9+3)
Don't mean to pick on you mickey but you are so sure of yourself that I can't help myself. The above statement is also incorrect. The order does matter in this equation as well. To be solved correctly it must also follow the same rules as the original equation (left to right for multiplication/division and addition/subtraction).
Good Lord. There is no such thing as subtraction anyway, only adding a negative number. Do you really think that the - in front of the three is a separate number or something? Is is a NEGATIVE THREE. So it does NOT matter which order you add them. Just remember, you are adding a negative three. /me shakes head...
If you add first you have to include the minus sign which would turn 3 negative. Back in elementary school we were taught addition is easier than subtraction, so change minus to plus and turn the integer opposite (positive to negative or negative to positive) so 2 - 3 + 1 = x would change into: 2 + (-3) + 1 = x... ...it would obviously be easier to just go left to right for this equation without flipping signs and such, but anyone that knows how to do math correctly would no the answer is 0 regardless what you do first.
I don't consider 48/2(9+3) to be the same as: Code: [U] 48 [/U] 2(9+3) Though I understand your point.
People badly want to use the distributive property, I see. The problem is that there is not an X and a Y.
You're partially correct, but when I look at the equation I was taught to add negatives rather than subtract. Therefore if you do it correctly it doesn't matter since you would be adding -3+1 rather than 3+1. In either case the answer would be 0. Only reason that it must solved left to right is if the person solving it isn't aware that the 3 must converted to negative first, due to the minus sign in front of it.
Absolutely incorrect. Any equation which contains only addition and/or subtraction can be done in any order, and the result will never vary.
