Poll: 6÷2(1+2)

[Barks]

Just seen this on Facebook questions.

6÷2(1+2)

1 or 9?

The majority of people have put 9. How can it possibly be 9?
Reading justifications for why it is 9 is infuriating so I was just wondering if any maths experts on here can clarify.

EDIT
There is no right or wrong answer. It's all in the interpretation of the expression which is inherently unclear.

 

[Semple]

Firstly 1+2 = 3

Secondly 6/2 = 3

finally 3*3 = 9

 

[Dunks]

6/2(1+2) = 6/2(3) = 3(3) = 9

BODMAS! Simples.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Oh for goodness sake.

 

[Zefan]

BODMAS

So you do the brackets first, which means you have 6/2*3, then you do the division, so you end up with 3*3.

That's how it works for me.

 

[aspirins]

Good job there are maths experts about for this one.

Edit: Maybe not - bit vague!

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

6÷2(1+2)


6÷2(3)


6÷6

1
EDIT: Oh fail, this does not look good.

 

[Barks]

2(1+2) expanded out is 2+4=6

6/6 = 1

2(1+2) is one expression.
6 is one experssion.

Thus 6 / 2(1+2) = 1

 

[vincent1989]

1+2=3

2x3=6

6/6=1

 

[Phil99]

It's 9 as the division is done before the multiplication of the 2 and the contents of the brackets (3):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/number/order_operation/revise2.shtml

(Sorry if the link is a bit patronising, it's the first one I found)

 

[dl8860]

Order of operations says multiplication and division are equal in priority, so you'd logically do it front to back. 1+2 comes first due to brackets giving 3. Then it is simple 6/2*3 = 9.

Some people assume that the 2 should stick to the front of the (1+2) because of the way it is written, and without a multiplication sign between the two, it isn't altogether an unreasonable assumption to make

 

[Raymond Lin]

You divide before you multiply is the way I was taught.

9 is the answer.

 

[james.miller]

you'd think there would be an operator in there to signify whether you are supposed to multiply or divide both sides. Maybe it's a trick question and you're not supposed to do anything, ie: the answer is 33.

 

[Jonny69]

Firstly 1+2 = 3

Secondly 6/2 = 3

finally 3*3 = 9

Maths doesn't work like that. You always do the brackets first...

 

[qqg3]

6÷2(1+2)


6÷2(3)


6÷6

1
EDIT: Oh fail, this does not look good.

Where did you learn math?

Brackets always first, surely?

 

[vincent1989]

however it's 6/2(3) as you do the brackets bit first it becomes 6/6.

 

[aspirins]

Then it is simple 6/2*3 = 3.

 

[muon]

The confusion is this step:

6 ÷ 2 x 3

1 or 9

Also division doesn't automatically have precedence over multiplication?

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

Where did you learn math?

Brackets always first, surely?

So I dealt with the 2(1+2), and then sorted the rest out.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

42.

HAHAHAHHA!

RIGHT GUYZ?