Math Test

[Tnichols00]

order of operation says that you must first do what is in parentheses. Once you have done that you do it from left to right.
The final answer should be 9

6 / 2(2+1)
Done in the proper order is

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

Mumble jumble mess but makes sense to me.

 

[cmj]

order of operation says that you must first do what is in parentheses. Once you have done that you do it from left to right.
The final answer should be 9

This has been discussed, and there are two CORRECT ways to interpret the problem. Although I feel 9 is MORE correct, 1 is also a right answer.

 

[Ted]

Not a law, a rule.

When laws are broken, someone goes to jail (math prison in this case).

When rules are broken, you just get the wrong answer and may be asked to leave. (If you do not leave when asked, you may be arrested for math trespass, which is a law.)

You would be in so much trouble with Scotty.

 

[kyotekilr]

9 is only correct if 6/2x = 6x/2 where x = (2+1) Please don't tell me you believe this

 

[Bunnykid68]

6 ÷ 2 (2 + 1) =x

Solve for x

Does this make it easier?

 

[CathyInBlue]

Wow. When I read this article Why there is no Hitchhiker’s Guide to Mathematics for Programmers | Math I thought it was just talking about the more esoteric and advanced mathematics notation. Little did I know that a complete misapplication of implied multiplication would lead to such a hullaballoo.

6/2x = 6 / 2 * x = 3x

If you mean for the 2 and x to be more closely linked than that, you have to use the precedence modifying parentheses.

6/(2x) = 3/x

The only alternative is if, like that paper I linked mentions, you're in a body of mathematics where an implied multiplication also implies tighter precedence than overt multiplication, which this is not.

Looking at the use of the great divisor notation, this expression would not become

  6
------
2(2+1)

It would become

6
-- (2+1) = 3(2+1) = 3 * 3 = 9
2

or

6(2+1)   6 * 3    18
------ = ----- = ---- = 9
  2        2       2

There is no ambiguity. There is no room to misinterpret or misunderstand this simple arithmetic expression "6/2(2+1)" except by those not familiar with mathematic rigor and the innumerate.

9 is only correct if 6/2x = 6x/2 where x = (2+1) Please don't tell me you believe this

Yes, I believe that, because it is true.

 

[cmj]

Great article.. There are 'Math Teachers' and there are those that 'Use Math'

Wow. When I read this article Why there is no Hitchhiker’s Guide to Mathematics for Programmers | Math I thought it was just talking about the more esoteric and advanced mathematics notation. Little did I know that a complete misapplication of implied multiplication would lead to such a hullaballoo.

6/2x = 6 / 2 * x = 3x

If you mean for the 2 and x to be more closely linked than that, you have to use the precedence modifying parentheses.

6/(2x) = 3/x

The only alternative is if, like that paper I linked mentions, you're in a body of mathematics where an implied multiplication also implies tighter precedence than overt multiplication, which this is not.

Looking at the use of the great divisor notation, this expression would not become

  6
------
2(2+1)

It would become

6
-- (2+1) = 3(2+1) = 3 * 3 = 9
2

or

6(2+1)   6 * 3    18
------ = ----- = ---- = 9
  2        2       2

There is no ambiguity. There is no room to misinterpret or misunderstand this simple arithmetic expression "6/2(2+1)" except by those not familiar with mathematic rigor and the innumerate.

Yes, I believe that, because it is true.

 

[kyotekilr]

6/2x = 6 / 2 * x = 3x


Not true

(6/2)x =3x

2(2+1) is one term and the whole thing needs to go in the denominator

I'm done

 

[CathyInBlue]

Actually all of "6/2(2+1)" is a term. It's a term made up of three factors, 6, 1/2, and (2+1). The last factor is a parenthetic subexpression made up of two terms of its own, 2 and 1. It is not correct at all to call "2(2+1)" a term within the greater expression "6/2(2+1)".

 

[adws943]

I hope Monday morning before coffe is the only reason for some of these answers.
That is one more quaility post?? for me.

 

[Benny]

It depends on who you ask. Order of operations should be followed, but isn't taught anymore. Regardless, the syntax is unclear and will result in different answers depending on how you were taught.

When and why did they stop teaching the order of operations?

Why would they want younger generations coming up with different answers than the older ones? Dumbest thing I've heard in some time.

From the time I entered school until the time I graduated college, there was only one correct answer to this question and it isn't 1.

 

[Indyhd]

I just hope everyone working for H&R Block can come up with the same answer that the IRS people come up with otherwise there will be a whole lot of auditting going on.

PS, I guess I'm old school because 9 immediately came to mind.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Good gawd, not again. It's 1. Parentheses, then exponentials, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction. 2+1=3. 3x2=6. 6÷6=1.

 

[Libertarian01]

To Bunnykid68,

As someone who has studied a bit of business accounting, I have to ask before answering your question:

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE NUMBER TO BE???

Regards,

Doug

 

[TBone3006]

9

 

[IndyDave1776]

Starting with the caveat that I was a history major, shouldn't we be able to apply the distributive property and come up with the same correct answer both ways?

 

[Double T]

It would be interesting to see which camp has people who took more than just basic algebra and trig in high school

I have a feeling it'd definitely be telling.

 

[Ted]

It would be interesting to see which camp has people who [STRIKE]took and [/STRIKE]passed with more than just a C in basic algebra and trig in high school

I have a feeling it'd definitely be telling.

FTFY

 

[Ted]

To Bunnykid68,

As someone who has studied a bit of business accounting, I have to ask before answering your question:

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE NUMBER TO BE???

Regards,


[STRIKE]Doug[/STRIKE] Enron, Worldcom, Adelphia, Arthur Anderson, Sally Mae, AIG, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Bernie Madoff, Ernst & Young, ..........U.S. Congress, etc.

FTFY

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Well, I took algebra 3/4 in summer school so I could get to calculus in HS, and passed that.