Poll: 6÷2(1+2)

[Hatter The Mad]

Prove it then, Post a video of you typing 6÷2(1+2) into a scientific calculator and showing it's answer.

The standard order of operations is:

terms inside parenthesis
exponents and roots
multiplication and division
addition and subtraction


So lets start by laying it out properly - that might make it easier to understand:

6
- (1+2)
2

Step one: terms inside parenthesis

6
- (3)
2

Step two: exponents and roots (nothing to do)

Step three: multiplication and division

3(3) = 9

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tbh

 

[N19h7m4r3]

 

[D.P.]

2(x + 2x) = (2x + 4x)
2(1 + 2) = (2 + 4)

 

[nydryl]

I've just realised something else. If you have read mathematics to a degree level, why on earth have you been using the division symbol? No one above high school uses it precisely because it obscures the standard order of operations from the plain written version, leading to mistakes like thinking the answer is 1.

Where and to what level have you studied maths then? Actually it doesn't matter, I think I'll leave this thread be and be content that the '1 but it's ambiguous' group are correct.

 

[Efour]

Texas vs Casio!!!

FIGHTTTTT

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Pictures of calculators? Really? I mean really?

Is it just me finding this terrifyingly stupid? Come on, level with me.

 

[Barks]

I have mathematics education above basic high school, if that counts.


It is ambiguous if you don't know what you're doing (standard order of operations). But that doesn't make it a fact that the solution can either be 1 or 9. The solution is 9. There are no two ways about it other than people's ignorance or misunderstanding of the subject.

The expression is designed to be inherently ambiguous, so stop acting all arrogant and claiming this is not the case. If this wasn't the case it wouldn't have caused such debate.

I'm not studying a PhD in maths or anything like that, but my degree is still heavily maths intensive and in the past 3 years I have never seen an expression like this. It is unheard of to even come across the ÷ symbol. Fractions are always used to avoid ambiguity.

 

[Shayper]

2(x + 2x) = (2x + 4x)
2(1 + 2) = (2 + 4)

This, really...

Any complicated algebraic equations anyone? Like proving series using Induction? I have exams coming up and I need to start revising at some point

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Division is just an artificial simplification as an illustrative tool to teach kids. There's no real definition of division in rigorous mathematics. There is only addition and multiplication. Subtraction is just addition of an additive inverse, and division is just multiplication of a multiplicative inverse (look up algebraic field for further clarification of how the number systems you are familiar with are constructed rigorously). That is why there are no short hand conventions for "division". So if the question had been written in conventional notation, there would be no confusion to begin with. This is the exact reason why mathematics is formed on a rigorous foundation. But of course, the material has to be bastardized when it is taught to kids, and then they have a hard time relearning it properly.

I refer you again to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations#The_standard_order_of_operations

 

[Castiel]

I've just realised something else. If you have read mathematics to a degree level, why on earth have you been using the division symbol? No one above high school uses it precisely because it obscures the standard order of operations from the plain written version, leading to mistakes like thinking the answer is 1.

Who said anything about degree level, My high school ended at O levels.


PEMDAS
So:

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

apparently, so obviously an ambiguous question as the millions of internet posts testify to.

 

[Shayper]

Pictures of calculators? Really? I mean really?

Is it just me finding this terrifyingly stupid? Come on, level with me.

I'm with you. However, just like incorrect grammar I HATE incorrect maths

 

[Spleenus]

This is why every calculator (whether it is a basic one, a T9 or Wolfram Alpha) answers 9.

No it doesn't.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

The expression is designed to be inherently ambiguous, so stop acting all arrogant and claiming this is not the case. If this wasn't the case it wouldn't have caused such debate.

I am claiming that if it is processed according to standard notation, then it isn't ambiguous. It isn't arrogant, it is fact.

Are you seriously accusing me of arrogance because I am stating a f fact?

It is unheard of to even come across the ÷ symbol. Fractions are always used to avoid ambiguity.

Precisely!

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Who said anything about degree level, My high school ended at O levels.


PEMDAS
So:

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

apparently, so obviously an ambiguous question as the millions of internet posts testify to.

That's because PEMDAS and BODMAS is a bastardisation of the standard order of operations. Why aren't you reading the damn article on it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations#The_standard_order_of_operations

 

[Castiel]

I refer you again to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations#The_standard_order_of_operations

These mnemonics may be misleading, especially if the user is not aware that multiplication and division are of equal precedence, as are addition and subtraction. Using any of the above rules in the order "addition first, subtraction afterward" would also give the wrong answer.

 

[Shayper]

I am claiming that if it is processed according to standard notation, then it isn't ambiguous. It isn't arrogant, it is fact.

Are you seriously accusing me of arrogance because I am stating a f fact?



Precisely!

You answer your own question there:

It isn't processed according to standard notation.

I'm bailing from this thread, keep laughing at the responses

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Bingo! The wrong answer because...

especially if the user is not aware that multiplication and division are of equal precedence

Getting something wrong because of ignorance does not make something ambiguous.

 

[Castiel]

Bingo! The wrong answer because...



Getting something wrong because of ignorance does not make something ambiguous.

Lol, 6/2(1+2) as in / being divide...not over as per the OP.

2*1+2=6

6/6=1

otherwise it would need to be written 6/2*(1+2).

So 1+2=3

6/2=3

3*3=9

Hence the intentional ambiguity to create a troll thread such as this.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/N19h7m4r3/IMG-20110429-00035.jpg[/ IMG][/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, low-end calculators do not follow the standard order of operations and you need to be explicit with the brackets (rather than relying on the calculator itself). Proper scientific calculators, like the TI-83, TI-84, TI-89 do, hence giving the correct answer.

 

[Wyrdo]

Lol, 6/2(1+2)

2*1+2=6

6/6=1

otherwise it would need to be written 6/2*(1+2).

Nein!