math problem

**Thor4140** · 04-09-11, 07:23 AM

....

**The Inevitable** · 04-09-11, 08:07 AM

Exactly.

**OmgUrMom** · 04-09-11, 08:41 AM

lol do the idiots posting the answer 2 realize this has been put into a calculator(and google if your to lazy to get a calculator) and the answer is 288, so stop posting its 2, unless this is just a monster level

**mrlegend28** · 04-09-11, 08:46 AM

its funny, the math problem doesn't even make sense. If you put it into excel it says invalid formula and adds a * (multiply) inbetween the brackets and the 2.

after you do the brackets it becomes 48 / 2(12) which looks like 2(12) should be together, but thats just an issue with peoples eyes, its really 48 / 2 * 12 which is 48/2 = 24 * 12 = 288.

seriously, its not hard lol

**Slainte** · 04-09-11, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by The Inevitable

BS degree, here.... and minored in Mathematics. First the question is poorly written because it's in single line form. It should be written formatically as not to cause any confusion. However, since it is in single line form, anything after that division symbol is considered to be the denominator.

Denominator - The expression written below the line in a common fraction that indicates the number of parts into which one whole is divided. Ex. 3/6; 6 is the denominator

You must find the product of the denominator in that equation, before you can proceed to divide the 48. The product of the denominator is 24. So, 48 divided by 24 equals 2.

I've read through most this thread and I've seen people complaining about folks adding in an extra parentheses to get 2. If you arriving at 288, you're doing the exact same thing. You're putting the extra parentheses here: (48/2)(9+3).

So in conclusion, like I said before along with 2 others, the question is written poorly. The mistake is on the teacher or whoever posed the question. But since it is a single line equation, the answer is 2. However, even at a college level, enough kids approaching the professor with an answer of 288 would have gotten credit. (Unless the professor's an asshole.)

It's giving that answer because you're inputting it wrongly into the calculator. You need to use another set of parentheses.

this

**OmgUrMom** · 04-09-11, 09:47 AM

@ the inevitable, you can put the equation into google EXACTLY how it is posted here and it comes out as 288, so how exactly would that be making a mistake?

**rsnnh12** · 04-09-11, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by OmgUrMom

lol do the idiots posting the answer 2 realize this has been put into a calculator(and google if your to lazy to get a calculator) and the answer is 288, so stop posting its 2, unless this is just a monster level

Edit- it won't let me post the pic for some reason, so click this link-

Just a moment...

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=659648193&postcount=3

Just sayin... different calculators (from scientific to Excel to google) will have different answers, based on how they are programmed... this just proves that it is in fact a bad question, with 2 right answers

**Bbr** · 04-09-11, 11:04 AM

BEDMAS LAW
Brackets
Exponentials
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction

2.......==

**Bbr** · 04-09-11, 11:10 AM

Simple mathematics 101 for DUMMIES
There is only one way to answer this 'equation' which begs the use of BEDMAS; there is no other mathematical method to work out such a equation. So the answer is 2.
HOWEVER, THE ONLY WAY that the answer is 288 is that if it is two seperate equations.
If you do not understand this give up sports wagering, you will be hopeless at money management. PEACE!

**Full Time Hobo** · 04-09-11, 11:10 AM

The answer is 2.

PEMDAS

Parenthesis (9+3)
Exponents NA
Multiply (2*(9+3)=24)
Divide (48/24=2)
Addition
Subtraction

It comes to
48 / 24

Which gives you 2.

**8ArIvd5** · 04-09-11, 11:32 AM

do the people getting 288 realize the 2 must me multiplied by 12 first because of the parenthesis? if the 2 was an x instead, would you divide 48 by x then multiply by 12? no, you'd multiply the x by 12, then divide 48 by 12x. same principle but with the 2.

**OmgUrMom** · 04-09-11, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by rsnnh12

Edit- it won't let me post the pic for some reason, so click this link-

Just a moment...

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=659648193&postcount=3

Just sayin... different calculators (from scientific to Excel to google) will have different answers, based on how they are programmed... this just proves that it is in fact a bad question, with 2 right answers

that is weird lol

something must of changed and they updated the newer model to get a different answer?

**OmgUrMom** · 04-09-11, 11:46 AM

this is from brownbear626818 of the bodybuilding forums:

its the number play thats causing all the debate. lets fix the notation.

48/(2[9+3]) = 2

48/2(9+3)= 288

/thread

**OmgUrMom** · 04-09-11, 11:47 AM

wise post by him

**rsnnh12** · 04-09-11, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by OmgUrMom

this is from brownbear626818 of the bodybuilding forums:

its the number play thats causing all the debate. lets fix the notation.

48/(2[9+3]) = 2

48/2(9+3)= 288

/thread

The problem is that '48/2(9+3)' can be viewed both ways, depending on which rules you apply.

It really is an ambiguous problem the way it is written... both answers are acceptable

**FourLengthsClear** · 04-09-11, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by OmgUrMom

@ the inevitable, you can put the equation into google EXACTLY how it is posted here and it comes out as 288, so how exactly would that be making a mistake?

LOL.

**Sunde91** · 04-09-11, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by gryfyn1

The problem is this: while we think 2(9+3) is the same as 2*(9+3) its actually not. 2*(9+3) is actually 2*1(9+3). The distributive property of multiplication means that the original could be rewriten as 48 / (9*2 + 3*2)

Originally posted by FourLengthsClear

It is a good answer but it is also a kop out. The notation is terrible but that does not change the fact that it is solvable. The distributive property of multiplication means that the 2(9+3) is a complete statement. The correct answer is therefore 2.

Originally posted by The Inevitable

BS degree, here.... and minored in Mathematics. First the question is poorly written because it's in single line form. It should be written formatically as not to cause any confusion. However, since it is in single line form, anything after that division symbol is considered to be the denominator. Denominator - The expression written below the line in a common fraction that indicates the number of parts into which one whole is divided. Ex. 3/6; 6 is the denominator You must find the product of the denominator in that equation, before you can proceed to divide the 48. The product of the denominator is 24. So, 48 divided by 24 equals 2. I've read through most this thread and I've seen people complaining about folks adding in an extra parentheses to get 2. If you arriving at 288, you're doing the exact same thing. You're putting the extra parentheses here: (48/2)(9+3). So in conclusion, like I said before along with 2 others, the question is written poorly. The mistake is on the teacher or whoever posed the question. But since it is a single line equation, the answer is 2. However, even at a college level, enough kids approaching the professor with an answer of 288 would have gotten credit. (Unless the professor's an asshole.) It's giving that answer because you're inputting it wrongly into the calculator. You need to use another set of parentheses.

2 backers, solid cash for us. Doubters = buried

**dfberger23** · 04-09-11, 05:14 PM

It is 2, I don't care if my calculator says 288.

**underthe total** · 04-09-11, 05:24 PM

i am going with the college boys here. its been way to long for me to remember, and i have worked 1 career and now onto another, in neither did this or any math equation similar come in to play

**antifoil** · 04-09-11, 05:53 PM

....

**underthe total** · 04-09-11, 06:03 PM

although i did go with 288

**tickingclock1** · 04-09-11, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by iceminers26

Wasn't a math major but that's how I would solve it.

THIS made me laugh ahahaha. did you go to elementary school? Order of operations was probably taught then.

**brooks85** · 04-09-11, 06:58 PM

distributive property of multiplication

2

**jonmic** · 04-09-11, 06:59 PM

the answer is 288.

48/2*(9+3) = 48/2*(12) = (48/1)*(1/2)*(12/1) = 288

**8ArIvd5** · 04-09-11, 09:51 PM

Originally posted by jonmic

the answer is 288.

48/2*(9+3) = 48/2*(12) = (48/1)*(1/2)*(12/1) = 288

i didn't realize there was a multiplication sign between the 2 and (9+3).

**NYSportsGuy210** · 04-09-11, 10:26 PM

I can't believe this thread has this many posts. Its 288 you effin morons....PEMDAS....Paranthesis....Exponents....Multiplication....Division...Addition...Subtraction.

This is a 5th grade question....seriously.

**rsnnh12** · 04-09-11, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by NYSportsGuy210

I can't believe this thread has this many posts. Its 288 you effin morons....PEMDAS....Paranthesis....Exponents....Multiplication....Division...Addition...Subtraction.

This is a 5th grade question....seriously.

No, its both. That is the official answer. 2 and 288 are both right.

**gryfyn1** · 04-10-11, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by jonmic

48/2*(9+3)

uh, thats not the question asked...

48/2*(9+3) is not the same as 48/2(9+3)

**hhsilver** · 04-10-11, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by gryfyn1

uh, thats not the question asked...

48/2*(9+3) is not the same as 48/2(9+3)

Of course it's same - I know one has a * and the other doesn't , but the * is not needed . 2( .....) means 2 times the value of (...) BUT it is not done here . 48 is first divided by 2 in the original question because Mult and Div are done LEFT to RIGHT.

this and the earlier post you made referring to the distributive property show that your lacking some basics in your math education. The fellow who quoted that post as if it were correct also showed his lack of knowledge.

**brooks85** · 04-10-11, 12:17 PM

the only lack of knowledge here belongs to anyone who thinks 2(9+3) can be separated

the answer is 2 and always will be 2. You definitely have the ability to read the equation wrong but read correctly the answer is 2.

**OmgUrMom** · 04-10-11, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

the only lack of knowledge here belongs to anyone who thinks 2(9+3) can be separated

the answer is 2 and always will be 2. You definitely have the ability to read the equation wrong but read correctly the answer is 2.

did you see the screenshot of the TI-86 calculator showing the EXACT question posted here as 288........I guess whoever made the calculator is wrong and you are right.

**OmgUrMom** · 04-10-11, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by FourLengthsClear

LOL.

dont laugh at me, dont call me names...dont get ur pleasure from my pain......in gods eyes were all the same

**OmgUrMom** · 04-10-11, 12:23 PM

....

**brooks85** · 04-10-11, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by OmgUrMom

did you see the screenshot of the TI-86 calculator showing the EXACT question posted here as 288........I guess whoever made the calculator is wrong and you are right.

ya if you would do some research you would find out why your ti-86 does that and you can look up the distributive property of multiplication while you are at it.

just like the people who plugged the equation into google expecting to get the right answer

**OmgUrMom** · 04-10-11, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

ya if you would do some research you would find out why that is and you can look up the distributive property of multiplication while you are at it.

just like the people who plugged the equation into google expecting to get the right answer

....