Solve this simple math problem: 48/2(9+3)

[coolwater]

Depending on how you solve it, your answer is either 288 or 2.

Nothing is missing in the equation - no math symbol is missing between 2 and (9+3), so solve it as is.


Now, cast your vote!

 

[miles01110]

This was already discussed (and locked) over at Physicsforums.com.

http://physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=488334

 

[bruinsrme]

How do you figure 288.
The division automatically means anything to the right is The divisor.
So
48 divided by 2(9+3)
48 divided by 2 x 12
48 divided by 24
Answer 2

However if I was determining my salary 288 for sure

 

[Abyssgh0st]

After reading people's thoughts about it, without a calculator/computer doing the calculation your answer with be based off of which method you use to follow the order of operations.

 

[wordoflife]

I did parenthesis, then multiplication or division from left to right. That's how I was taught it.

I'm pretty sure doing PEMDAS left to right is the proper way to do it

48/2(9+3)
48/2(12)
24(12)
288

 

[bruinsrme]

48.
2(9+3)

That's how I see it

 

[gnasher729]

Depends on how you solve it, your answer is either 288 or 2.

Nothing is missing in the equation - no math symbol is missing between 2 and (9+3), so solve it as is.


Now, cast your vote!

Vote for "Undecidable because of the rubbish typography".

 

[iJohnHenry]

Vote for "Undecidable because of the rubbish typography".

Exactly.

To avoid the 'implied' multiplication, it should be shown as below.

The answer is then obviously "2".

 

[ebolamonkey3]

All depends on whether the (9+3) is on the top or bottom. As the OP typed it, it's on the top.

48/2(9+3) = 24 * 12 = 288

48/[2(9+3)] would've been = 2

 

[ECUpirate44]

The answer is 288.

Back to 7th grade Math: Order of operations= PEMDAS
Parentheses first 9+3=12
Then division 48/2=24 because 24X2 is 48. Multiplication and division go together.
Then multiplication because they are next to each other. 24(12)=288

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

The answer is 288.

Back to 7th grade Math: Order of operations= PEMDAS
Parentheses first 9+3=12
Then division 48/2=24 because 24X2 is 48. Multiplication and division go together.
Then multiplication because they are next to each other. 24(12)=288

this is the only way to do it, why is there even an other answer?

 

[McGiord]

The official Mac answer is:

 

[bruinsrme]

The official Mac answer is:

That's great lol

 

[ECUpirate44]

Official Google answer.

 

[iJohnHenry]

The official Mac answer is:

That's great lol

Mac knows, that in the absence of a sign, the (9+3) is to-the-power-of.

 

[wordoflife]

Official Google answer.
View attachment 280546

You can do that?!??!

Damn, Google can do everything.

 

[-aggie-]

The answer is 288. CONFIRMED.

 

[balamw]

Official Google answer.
View attachment 280546

Wolfram Alpha concurs.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=48/2(9+3)

B

 

[-aggie-]

48.
2(9+3)

That's how I see it

Well, you’re wrong. You’d need two more parentheses to SEE it that way.

 

[iVeBeenDrinkin']

2

 

[bruinsrme]

Well, you’re wrong. You’d need two more parentheses to SEE it that way.

No, that's the way I see it

 

[McGiord]

Official Google answer.
View attachment 280546

Is this MacRumors or GoogleRumors?

 

[cciliberto33]

Well if that is acting as a fraction bar which acts like a grouping symbol (parentheses). So if then 9+3 = 12 12*2 = 24. 48/24 = 2. However, if that was a normal division symbol. then 9+3 = 12. 48/2 = 24 24*12 = 288. So is it a fraction bar or a division symbol yo.

 

[ECUpirate44]

Is this MacRumors or GoogleRumors?

Do you really think the answer is 2? lol.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Do you really think the answer is 2? lol.

Yes, if you assume the (9+3) is a power.

No, if you assume there is a fantom multiplier between the 2 and the (9+3).

It's a loaded question, due to incomplete specifications, yet again.

Takes me back to my User days. Kill them all!!!