48÷2(9+3) =

[Born2bwire]

Okay, who here would interpret 6x² ÷ 2x to get 3x^3? Anyone who's not a troll?

Go ahead, speedemon, stick in 2's and 3's. The rest of the world is going to get 3x, not 3x^3.

It takes a lot of hubris to assume that x² is the same as x*x. For all we know that little two means that x² is a whole other variable. You might as well say that 6y / 2x = 3x*x*x.

 

[YoungGun21]

It takes a lot of hubris to assume that x² is the same as x*x. For all we know that little two means that x² is a whole other variable. You might as well say that 6y / 2x = 3x*x*x.

But x^2 IS x*x.

I voted 288, but only because Wolfram gave me that answer.

 

[Born2bwire]

But x^2 IS x*x.

I voted 288, but only because Wolfram gave me that answer.

That's just a matter of interpretation. You probably would say the same thing about x₂too I bet.

 

[YoungGun21]

No. x^2 means x-squared or x*x.

What you posted there is what we would call "x-two" or our second value of x if we had multiple x-values. Note that it is a subscript, not a superscript (which is used to show powers).

 

[Born2bwire]

No. x^2 means x-squared or x*x.

What you posted there is what we would call "x-two" or our second value of x if we had multiple x-values. Note that it is a subscript, not a superscript (which is used to show powers).

Ha, I knew it! Exactly, you interpret a subscript that makes x a different variable all together and then you try to tell me that suddenly a superscript can't have the same multiple interpretations? Seriously, think about it. "x-two" means two x's or x*x. It's the subscript that denotes the power. Jeez, what schools did you people go to. Hell, I don't think Dr. Pizza even has a doctorate in restaurant management given by his posts.

 

[YoungGun21]

Ha, I knew it! Exactly, you interpret a subscript that makes x a different variable all together and then you try to tell me that suddenly a superscript can't have the same multiple interpretations? Seriously, think about it. "x-two" means two x's or x*x. It's the subscript that denotes the power. Jeez, what schools did you people go to. Hell, I don't think Dr. Pizza even has a doctorate in restaurant management given by his posts.

Subscripts and superscripts are given clear and separate definitions for a reason - identification. Sure, your way COULD make sense, but it doesn't given the rules of math we have already outlined.

x^2 (superscript) is a function.

"x-two" (subscript) is not. It is essentially just a name. It has no mathematical operation.

 

[Born2bwire]

Subscripts and superscripts are given clear and separate definitions for a reason - identification. Sure, your way COULD make sense, but it doesn't given the rules of math we have already outlined.

x^2 (superscript) is a function.

"x-two" (subscript) is not. It is essentially just a name. It has no mathematical operation.

Look, I'm not going to argue with you if you insist on coming up with these fantasyland rules of math. I know how math works. I took math class at school. But I don't know what you're smoking if you acknowledge that x²(y) is a function but x₂(y) isn't a function. Don't think that using superscript and subscript as some fancy words for a variable is going to trip me up like the other math plebians in this thread.

 

[StrangerGuy]

2 for me. I see the divide as a fraction.

 

[Locut0s]

Look, I'm not going to argue with you if you insist on coming up with these fantasyland rules of math. I know how math works. I took math class at school. But I don't know what you're smoking if you acknowledge that x²(y) is a function but x₂(y) isn't a function. Don't think that using superscript and subscript as some fancy words for a variable is going to trip me up like the other math plebians in this thread.

I haven't read your other posts here really carefully and am a bit confused on your own stance to this. Are you agreeing that there IS ambiguity in the equation or that it's cut and dry?

 

[A Casual Fitz]

The people that voted 2 make me lol

 

[JTsyo]

Subscripts and superscripts are given clear and separate definitions for a reason - identification. Sure, your way COULD make sense, but it doesn't given the rules of math we have already outlined.

x^2 (superscript) is a function.

"x-two" (subscript) is not. It is essentially just a name. It has no mathematical operation.

dude, you're being trolled

 

[airdata]

The people that voted 2 make me lol

The people that post what you post make me LOL because it's just an elaborate troll.

 

[her209]

no...

48 / 2 (9 + 3)
48 / 2 (12)
24 (12)
288

I disagree. The way I see it written is the former of the below:

If it was the latter, it would have been written:

48/2*(9+3)

 

[JJChicken]

I can't believe this thread is over 500 posts..I didn't know this was such an interesting topic.

Anyways, its obvious the answer is 42.

 

[SP33Demon]

Okay, who here would interpret 6x² ÷ 2x to get 3x^3? Anyone who's not a troll?

Go ahead, speedemon, stick in 2's and 3's. The rest of the world is going to get 3x, not 3x^3.

See, the problem is that you're stuck on theoretical values such as x,y,z. Like I said, substitute a real value if you're confused. BODMAS isn't rocket science, stop overanalyzing like it is. Again, use a real value and stop playing games.

 

[JJChicken]

Guess what the smarty folks at BB thought when they were polled this question:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=133389973

 

[JTsyo]

MathCAD

48÷2(9+3) = 288

I do think there's a difference between numbers and variables.

a/bc = a/(bc)
you can't really write numbers like that so this problem uses parentheses to imply the multiplication.

2/3(4) Would you get 8/3 or 1/6?

If I saw: 48/2(a+b), I would probably take it to mean 2(a+b) was in the denominator.

 

[bignateyk]

If it were 48/2(9+3) I would say the answer was 2. But seriously, who the hell writes things using a ÷ sign. In 4 years of school for engineering, and another 5 years of working and using math every day, I have not once written a ÷ sign. It is always expressed as a fraction /. I don't think I've used a ÷ sign since the 3rd grade.

 

[SP33Demon]

2/3(4) Would you get 8/3 or 1/6?

Amazing you even have to ask this question.

 

[HumblePie]

If it were 48/2(9+3) I would say the answer was 2. But seriously, who the hell writes things using a ÷ sign. In 4 years of school for engineering, and another 5 years of working and using math every day, I have not once written a ÷ sign. It is always expressed as a fraction /. I don't think I've used a ÷ sign since the 3rd grade.

No, go back and read my post. That is short form notation. When writing a division symbol in either context you only include the numbers right next to it unless there is a explicit group operator that groups more than one. In this case there is not. The (9 + 3) is not next to the division symbol so it is not explicitly considered part of the division symbol.

I'm a computer sci major, been doing this for 11 years, with a minor in math. This HAS been talked about before in my classes about specific notations and the differences between long forms and short forms. I wrote out in my previous posts what is the correct way to interpret this equation as it was written in the OP. Parens and brackets must be used explicitly in short form notation to convey grouping. If not there is no implied grouping unlike long form.

 

[Arcadio]

Rules are rules. This is MATH, for God's sake.... Math is built under strict rules. I can't believe this is under discussion. Who cares if it "looks" a certain way, or if it is "written" a certain way. Nobody messes with the Rules of Mathematics. 288. /thread.

 

[HumblePie]

Rules are rules. This is MATH, for God's sake.... Math is built under strict rules. I can't believe this is under discussion. Who cares if it "looks" a certain way, or if it is "written" a certain way. Nobody messes with the Rules of Mathematics. 288. /thread.

Rules are also different based on how the equation is written. If written one way it is X rule. If written almost the same but slightly different it can be a completely different rule. That is why math uses notations to convey what rules are applied.

I already pointed out exactly why the people arguing the answer is 2 are completely wrong and which rule they were suppose to use.

 

[bigi]

Saw this in another forum, what say you?

Only in US of A this is even a question. Fucking morons.

 

[HumblePie]

Only in US of A this is even a question. Fucking morons.

Uhh, like only Americans use this board?? If so someone needs to explain that to godless and hal9000 for starters.

 

[RedRooster]

I like how the 288 supporters think they're right and want the thread ended. Sounds awfully unsure of their position.
The 2 supporters know they're right and don't care. The 288ers are dribbling in anger on their keyboards.