math problem

[LT Profits]

!= is the same as =/= or NOT THE SAME. So we agree here.

I really do not care for your rules. If a mathematician in any world country was given the 48/2(9+3) everybody would get same solution.
Of course, if you give the same sample on the net, people will come up with various crap.
The answer is 288. If I would write 48/2(9+3) = 2 on my exam, my professor would probably give me 1/10 just for that.

Now please stop telling me that 48/2(9+3) does not equal 288 because that is simply not true. If you can, however, mathematically proove me, please do so, I will study the proof and let you know what I think.

No, if a mathematician in any world country was given the 48/2*(9+3) everybody would get same solution of 288.

The omission of the "*" in this case puts the juxt rule into play. And I have already proven that the answer is 2, follow the rules in the highlighted portion of my last post and solve for 2(9+3) first.

Thus, 48/2(9+3) = 48/2(12) = 48/24 = 2

[tenbas]

You convinced me to check (just for curiousity, I still insist that the right answer's 288) in Mathematica, Matlab, python and C++. All four gave me the same result... yes, 288.
And these languages and programs are used... well, practically everywhere everytime.

I'm out, but you can insist on your answer. But I can asure you will not be taken seriously, if you will ever have any mathematical-related job and state that the right answer is 2.

Also, I don't think we have any real math problem here, I think it's just a matter of different interpretation. It's ambiguous.
Have fun.

[yisman]

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/48293

48÷2(9+3) = ? is a math problem that, depending on the order of operations used, leads to two different answers: 2 and 288. It can be a hot topic for debate, and is sometimes used to troll other users because of the argument that can result afterward.

Spread

This internet phenomenon exploded on April 7th, 2011, around the same time when searches for “48÷2(9+3) =” spiked on Google. Forum threads created that day include BodyBuilding.com, Physics Forums WallStreetOasis.com, SpartanTailgate, grasscity.com, Tennis Warehouse, Inside MD Sports, and The Escapist. On April 8th, it popped up on 6Theory, NIKETLK, Yahoo! Answers, DIYMA.com, and The Ill Community.

There are considerable arguments for both answers, but the general consensus is that writing ambiguous fractions like “2/6x” makes solving such problems confusing, and it is considered bad form to write ambiguously written fractions in the first place.
Standard Order of Operations

If one strictly uses the standard order of operations to solve mathematical expressions, the answer to the problem would be 288, which is also the same solution provided by WolframAlpha and Google.
By convention, the order of precedence in a mathematical expression is as follows:

• Terms inside of Brackets or Parentheses.
• Exponents and Roots.
• Multiplication and Division.
• Addition and Subtraction.

If there are two or more operations with equal precedence (such as 10÷2÷5 or 7÷2*9), those operations should be done from left to right.

[yisman]

So to sum it up, it can be argued both ways.

[charlesbroccoli]

its 2.....is this really 50/50 across the interweb....WOW.....

[tenbas]

its 2.....is this really 50/50 across the interweb....WOW.....

LOL.
It's ambiguous.

[yisman]

Yes, it's ambiguous.