48÷2(9+3) = ???

[Conki]

The 2 is a factor of (9+3).

So? A factor is a constant that can be manipulated.

[Conki]

Multiplication by juxtaposition takes precedence over normal multiplication(x or * or •)and normal division(/ or ÷)

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/juxtaposition#Noun

"Using juxtaposition for multiplication saves space when writing longer expressions. collapses to ."

I interpret this as (2)(2)(2) = 2*2*2.

[KenC]

The 2 is not connected to (9+3). It's just a multiplier. But if you divide a number by that 2 first, as in 48/2(9+3), you have to do the division first.

The 2 is a factor of (9+3).

[Conki]

Regardless of what else is in this equation, there is no way to not get 24 from 2(9+3). You need to distribute the factor to simplify before dividing 48 by it.

This is like saying that 2+1 is always three doesn't matter what's around it.l
Let's see... 3*2+1 = 3*3?? No. It's 7.
The 2 is not connected to (9+3). It's just a multiplier. But if you divide a number by that 2 first, as in 48/2(9+3), you have to do the division first.

[KenC]

Okay, let's try this then:

x/2(9+3)=288
x/2(12)=288
x/24=288
x=6912

6912/2(9+3)=288
6912/2(12)=288
6912/24=288
288=288

x/2(9+3)=2
x/2(12)=2
x/24=2
x=48

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

Multiplication by juxtaposition takes precedence over normal multiplication(x or * or •)and normal division(/ or ÷)

Hard to argue with this.

[KenC]

How is this still going on?

2*(9+3) = 2(9+3)

2 is a factor? Yes. You multiply 9 and 3 by it. Unless you have another operation to do beforehand.

48/2(9+3) = 48/2*(9+3)

Regardless of what else is in this equation, there is no way to not get 24 from 2(9+3). You need to distribute the factor to simplify before dividing 48 by it.

[Conki]

How is this still going on?

2*(9+3) = 2(9+3)

2 is a factor? Yes. You multiply 9 and 3 by it. Unless you have another operation to do beforehand.

48/2(9+3) = 48/2*(9+3)

By using parentheses you don't necessarily need to use the multiplication sign.

Check this out:
222 = 222 right?
(2)(2)(2) = 2^3 = 8
2*2*2 = 2^3 = 8
(2)(2)(2) = 2*2*2
(2)(2)(2) != 222

Where are you guys getting all the other stuff from? Srsly

[ThePotsy]

this doesnt work to prove how the answer is 2 because the same can be done to prove that 288 is correct. the issue is the way we are suppose to read the problem.

i see it as 48/2x which i would read as 48 divided by 2x

but what the 288 people are saying is that it should be read as 48/2 multiplied by x.

which from what i understand would normally be represented as (48/2)x

we all know the math is right but the confusion is the way we are reading the equation. its ambiguous and needs to be clarified in the original equation. otherwise it cannot be properly solved.

Okay, let's try this then:

x/2(9+3)=288
x/2(12)=288
x/24=288
x=6912

6912/2(9+3)=288
6912/2(12)=288
6912/24=288
288=288

x/2(9+3)=2
x/2(12)=2
x/24=2
x=48

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

Multiplication by juxtaposition takes precedence over normal multiplication(x or * or •)and normal division(/ or ÷)

[KenC]

92 people failed middle school algebra. Whatever is inside the parentheses comes first then you return to the left.

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

288 is the answer and there is no doubt about it.

2 is a FACTOR of the (9+3). You must simplify this term first. You must first DISTRIBUTE the 2 through (9+3). Regardless of what is on the left, if you have 2(9+3), it must be simplified first and you cannot get another answer than 24.

[tonywonder]

48/2(x+3)=2
48/2x+6=2
48=4x+12
36=4x
9=x

48/2(x+3)=288
48/2x+6=288
48=576x+1728
-1680=576x
-2_11/12=x

this doesnt work to prove how the answer is 2 because the same can be done to prove that 288 is correct. the issue is the way we are suppose to read the problem.

i see it as 48/2x which i would read as 48 divided by 2x

but what the 288 people are saying is that it should be read as 48/2 multiplied by x.

which from what i understand would normally be represented as (48/2)x

we all know the math is right but the confusion is the way we are reading the equation. its ambiguous and needs to be clarified in the original equation. otherwise it cannot be properly solved.

[frankenbeemer]

I was quoting the action, not what you said. On iPhone, so my quoting is lazy, and no nice pictures to go with math related posts. *claven*

Also, 48/8 is not 8.

No problem, just confused me. 48/8 does not equal 8. My bad.

[Pantless Spency]

math sucks.

[ThePotsy]

Where did I say "bad math"?

I was quoting the action, not what you said. On iPhone, so my quoting is lazy, and no nice pictures to go with math related posts. *claven*

Also, 48/8 is not 8.

[frankenbeemer]

I like to misquote people

Where did I say "bad math"?

[ThePotsy]

Bad math.

48/2(x+3)=2
48/2x+6=2
48=4x+12
36=4x
9=x

48/2(x+3)=288
48/2x+6=288
48=576x+1728
-1680=576x
-2_11/12=x