Trick math! Whodathunkit

[PowerPix]

So anyway, I was sitting and thinking about a mathematical equation that a lot of people consider a trick problem. I personally know the answer but would like to see how some of you deduce it. Here is el problemo, use your brain power. Believe it or not, a lot of people do math wrong........

48÷2(9+3)

[tyasa81]

huh? what's the trick? the answer has to be canon or nikon which is equals to 2...

[zenandzen]

(48 ÷ 2) * (9 + 3) = 288

[katia]

the answer is 2

[Reed]

the answer is 2

[vojm]

48÷2(9+3)

Rule of priority (or whatever it is called)

Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction

So 48/2*12
then 24*12
then 288

[NgaiHill]

Hmmm, I got 288. We learnt the rule as BODMAS

Brackets Off (9+3)=12
Division 48/2=24
Multiplication 24x12=288
Addition
Subtraction

The key is whether you do the division or multiplication first.

[SwissJon]

The problem here isn't the way you do it, it's the way it's presented to the reader.. Does 48/2*12 mean (48/2)*12 or 48/(2*12)?

This is the kind of lazy math notation without brackets that leads to your computer crashing, because both answers are legitimately right, it's just which rule you follow.

In days of pen and paper, you would put things into different lines, and the answer would not be so abstract.

I therefore decline to answer on the grounds that both answers are correct and it's the question that's wrong

[alix13]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

The problem here isn't the way you do it, it's the way it's presented to the reader.. Does 48/2*12 mean (48/2)*12 or 48/(2*12)?

This is the kind of lazy math notation without brackets that leads to your computer crashing, because both answers are legitimately right, it's just which rule you follow.

I therefore decline to answer on the grounds that both answers are correct and it's the question that's wrong

Sorry to disagree, but there is nothing ambiguous about the question.
Brackets aren't necessary because of the accepted mathematical conventions.
When you have a choice between doing multiplication or division first, you ALWAYS work from left to right.
So if the question is 48/2*12 ,with no brackets to indicate otherwise, you do the division first.
Answer is 288

[dawnwithacamera]

The answer is 2, you have to do what is inside the parenthesis first (9+3)=12*2=24 and 48/24=2