Maths Question ... : 6÷2(1+2) = ?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by *dim*, Oct 5, 2011.

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  1. gcc3663

    gcc3663 Knackered Grandad trying to keep up with a 4yr old

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    It always is. That is the Ultimte Answer.
     
    gcc3663, Oct 5, 2011
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  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    Excel 2010 makes the answer 9

    [​IMG]
     
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      Scrungee, Oct 6, 2011
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    • Bilbo675

      Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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      Bilbo675, Oct 6, 2011
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    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      I want to see what Ziggy makes it using BIOMAS
       
      Scrungee, Oct 6, 2011
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    • ClaraLou

      ClaraLou Total Gardener

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      Yes, twice and I am definitely going to see them again. I defy anyone to leave without a smile on their face. They are all brilliant musicians who can play around with all kinds of musical ideas. They do a stonking version of 'Anarchy In the UK'. It was great fun to see the good people of Tunbridge Wells singing along to the its immortal final lines: 'get p1ssed destroyyyy ...'.
       
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    • ClaraLou

      ClaraLou Total Gardener

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      I'm really glad this debate is still rumbling on. You don't know how much better it makes O Level Maths failures feel. You see - numbers are slimy little creatures which aren't to be trusted. I rest my case, M'lud.

      I found this on 'Maths Is Fun'. (Yeah, right. So is bubonic plague.):-

      http://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-bodmas.html

      I think, following this method, you get 6/2 x 3 = 1 :fingerdrum:
       
      ClaraLou, Oct 6, 2011
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    • capney

      capney Head Gardener

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      (6 ÷ 2) * (1 + 2) = 9

      Correct
       
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        capney, Oct 6, 2011
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      • Genie2312

        Genie2312 Gardener

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        Not read the whole thread......so might be a total numpty.....:heehee:

        (6 ÷ 2) * (1 + 2) = ?

        (3) x (3) = 9
         
        Genie2312, Oct 6, 2011
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        Just seen this problem :dbgrtmb:.

        The trouble is that it is poorly written. Under the old method the answer would definitely be 1. The problem arises because the 2 outside the bracket is not separated by any sign.

        Using the old method this makes the 2 tied to the bracket and should be calculated immediately after calculating what is inside the bracket.

        Using Excel (as Scrungee has done) or a calculator, they don't accept the number before the bracket (without an operand) as a proper calculation. That's why they would end up with a result of 9. This is because an operand between the number 2 and the bracket removes the number 2 from being part of the bracket.

        So, for us older people (or those taught the old, correct :heehee:, method) the answer is 1.

        I hope you can understand all this. :D

        My qualification for the explanation - I used to teach O Level maths. :dbgrtmb:
         
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          shiney, Oct 6, 2011
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        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

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          This calculator accepts 6÷2(1+2) as originally posted without any amendment as a proper calculation Wolfram Computational Knowledge Engine

          Copy and paste it in (as emboldened above) and see what the answer is.
           
          Scrungee, Oct 6, 2011
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        • Val..

          Val.. Confessed snail lover

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          It says 9 that's what I said!!! How do people get 1????

          Val
           
          Val.., Oct 6, 2011
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        • ClaraLou

          ClaraLou Total Gardener

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          Thank you, Prof Shiney. You and OH are therefore in agreement. It's the way wot it is writ that is causing the confusion. How very pleasing. :heehee:
           
          ClaraLou, Oct 6, 2011
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        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          I think we have a similar problem to that of "What is a billion?" In this country it was always a million million and that's how I use it when counting my money. :heehee:

          That is only the second example I can think of where something American is smaller than we have it.

          Most things in the U.S. are bigger and better (?) :loll:
           
          shiney, Oct 6, 2011
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        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          Takes a bow :dbgrtmb: and ignores those that don't agree :loll:
           
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            shiney, Oct 6, 2011
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          • HarryS

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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            Not read all the post , but the way to work out an equation is..........

            BODMAS

            Brackets out then Division then multiplication then addition then subtraction

            So the answer is one , as shiney said not a well written equation.
             
            HarryS, Oct 6, 2011
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