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(24,455 posts)BlueWaveNeverEnd
(7,915 posts)So, 1+2 becomes 3, and the equation becomes 6 ÷ 2 (3). The parenthesis around the three indicates it is to be multiplied by what comes before it, so the equation translates to 6 ÷ 2 x 3.
As multiplication and division are of the same precedence, the equation then should be solved left to right: 6 ÷ 2 becomes 3, making the equation 3 x 3, resulting in a correct solution of 9.
Nine is the answer, but following old standards of how equations were written, one could come to a solution of 1.
Following the old route, people would still address the parenthesis first, resulting in 6 ÷ 2 (3).
But old formatting - which Phresh Talwalkar of the puzzle website Mind Your Decisions believes may have been used to work with typesetting and printing formatting from the day - directed people to divide whatever is on the left side of the division sign (the obelus) by the sum of what was to its right. Talwalkar said he saw this approach to the order of operations present in text books from 1917.
By those standards, people would solve 2 x 3 first, resulting in 6, then divide 6 by 6, resulting in an answer of 1.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11863217/Can-solve-seemingly-simple-math-problem-left-internet-stumped.html
MacKasey
(986 posts)BlueWaveNeverEnd
(7,915 posts)So, 1+2 becomes 3, and the equation becomes 6 ÷ 2 (3). The parenthesis around the three indicates it is to be multiplied by what comes before it, so the equation translates to 6 ÷ 2 x 3.
As multiplication and division are of the same precedence, the equation then should be solved left to right: 6 ÷ 2 becomes 3, making the equation 3 x 3, resulting in a correct solution of 9.
Nine is the answer, but following old standards of how equations were written, one could come to a solution of 1.
Following the old route, people would still address the parenthesis first, resulting in 6 ÷ 2 (3).
But old formatting - which Phresh Talwalkar of the puzzle website Mind Your Decisions believes may have been used to work with typesetting and printing formatting from the day - directed people to divide whatever is on the left side of the division sign (the obelus) by the sum of what was to its right. Talwalkar said he saw this approach to the order of operations present in text books from 1917.
By those standards, people would solve 2 x 3 first, resulting in 6, then divide 6 by 6, resulting in an answer of 1.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11863217/Can-solve-seemingly-simple-math-problem-left-internet-stumped.html
modrepub
(3,495 posts)That's my final answer
cachukis
(2,232 posts)RockRaven
(14,959 posts)equations like this.
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(7,915 posts)6 / 2(x+1)
would answer be (6 / 2) *(x+2) = 3x + 6
RockRaven
(14,959 posts)If you're gonna write out six-space-divide-space-two-... then continue -space-multiply-space-parenthesis... etc
6 ÷ 2 X (1+2) =
Obviously there are many ways to write "six divided by two times the sum of one plus two" and apparently this is just the one which most likely generates confusion and therefore makes for the best test of one's ability to pedantically follow the rules.
For purposes of clarity and brevity combined, I think (6/2)(1+2) would probably be best. But it would also defeat the purpose of probing people's understanding and attentiveness. Oh well.
dweller
(23,628 posts)42
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Wounded Bear
(58,647 posts)Alpeduez21
(1,751 posts)6%2(1+2). six divided by 2 times 1 plus 2. 1 plus 2 is in parenthesis so this action is performed first.
This gives us 6%2(3)
The order of operations states the solution goes from left to right and in the pairs of multiplication and division do whichever comes first.
This gives us 3(3)
This gives us 9
debm55
(25,163 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 18, 2023, 10:41 PM - Edit history (1)
Alpeduez21
(1,751 posts)Midnight Writer
(21,751 posts)keithbvadu2
(36,778 posts)Order of precedence is what I was taught.
M and D are in precedence, not equal.
That is what I was taught.
1
2naSalit
(86,569 posts)Tetrachloride
(7,835 posts)When / after the math is programmed into the lunar lander, if the lander crashes, somebody is probably wrong and gravity wins.
If the lander lands safely, someones is correct and gravity still wins.
Physics decides.
In college, a co-worker misinterpreted 2 characters and then another 2 characters. With the information, she proceeded to delete the files of 20-30 students at a time. I walked in before she got to the more serious classes and saved the night. My coworker didnt have a heart attack tho she felt like it. We had a hamburger each. It was a Friday or Saturday night in Wisconsin. Probably the second prettiest girl on campus.
Upthevibe
(8,038 posts)I asked a Math teacher at the high school where I normally sub at to thoroughly explain the Order of Operations to me (PEMDAS)- P = Parenthesis; E = Exponents; M = Multiplication; D = Division; A = Addition; S= Subtraction. The way to remember it for me is: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sue.
He said that a common misunderstanding is people think that multiplication goes before division (because of the order) but that the multiplication and division are actually of equal prominence so the M doesn't necessarily go before the D and at that point you use the orderof the equation...So:
6 / 2 (1 + 2)
P = 1 + 2 = 3
D = 6/2 = 3
3/3 = 1
ProfessorGAC
(65,000 posts)As a sub, I've gone through PEMDAS with 6th graders.
Parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, addition subtraction.
The trick in this equation is noting that 2(1+2) is really 2×(1+2).
So, now we just have division and multiplication and work left to right.
The "missing" multiplication sign confuses the eye, so many might say the answer is 1.
XanaDUer2
(10,652 posts)XanaDUer2
(10,652 posts)cksmithy
(231 posts)6/2(2+1)=
6/2(3)=
3(3)=9
For this problem, parenthesis first, then left to right to the equation sign. Sorry my keyboard doesn't have a division symbol or I don't know where it is. I took high school algebra in 1964-65, college advanced algebra in 2000, graduated liberal arts degree to teach k to 8th grade 2002.