8/2(2+2) = ?

[ppotter]

You can make arguments for either answer, but the only thing that's definitely true is anyone who (Seriously) writes an equation like that is a moron.

[INW]

Need more practice with quotes.

I'll fix it. The message box bugged and never showed the other quotes. Very strange.

[kyle]

16 is the only correct answer when written as it was.

because order of operations are applied left to right.
Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiply and Divide
Add and Subtract

therefore first the stuff in Parenthesis
then the Division because it come before the multiplication.
then the multiplication
so 8/2(2+2)=16 No way is is equal to 1 unless you would do
8/(2(2+2))

[Mkay1]

[Phytotron]

Aren't you supposed to be in college? We were doing this stuff in, like, 7th grade.

[scene]

saw a very similar poll question asked on facebook

but yes, this answer is 16

[Phytotron]

...

[Titanoboa]

^ Sad troll

[INW]

Aren't you supposed to be in college? We were doing this stuff in, like, 7th grade.

5th grade.

[Zimblunk]

Titanoboa's Math Predictions

8/2(2+2) = ?

Opening Round

8 vs /
8 shows up with a full team but / has a good math division, and they'll be able to pull through. 1-2

2a vs (
( appears to be the open team in this tournament, and 2a won't show any mercy, leaving ( with some sad faces after two quick matches. 2-0

2b vs +
2b has a fairly solid team, but a b-team will never stand a chance against the experienced plus team, who's been dominating in math now that they've stopped worrying about fortress. 2b still manages to snatch one match though. 1-2

2c vs )
I don't even think 2c will be able to see what's going on when ) closes this one up. 0-2

Semi Finals

8 vs 2a
8 starts out strong and takes a quick match, but doozes off in the second match, and 2a takes advantage of their siesta. 1-2

+ vs )
This is probably the most interesting matchup so far, and it's gonna be great to watch these two friendly teams hit it off in the semis. But +'s positive spirit is more than just a shallow smile. 2-0

Finals

2a vs +
+ has been known to mess things up in finals before. In addition, 2a is the team with the strongest lineup at this moment, plus they're in great shape. All of this adds up to an easy win for 2a. 2-0

8/2(2+2) = 2!!!


Taking the results from these predictions, you get:
1-2+2-0+1-2+0-2+1-2+2-0+2-0 = 1
Was I right?

Okay, why hasn't anyone commented on this? This is brilliant!

I think ( should've won; that was the only team there open to new ideas (well, I suppose I could add in + there).
I'm glad / lost though; you couldn't find a more crooked team in a shear transformation.

[chrisd]

There is a clear consensus that sub expressions between parenthesis are to be done first. So, we know that it is 8/2*4. What this is, is less clear. Nowadays expressions with multiplication and division are mostly evaluated from left to right, leading to the answer 16, but a few decades ago many people were taught to do the multiplication first. This leads to the answer 1. In the end it is just a convention and it is better to make clear what you have in mind by adding extra parentheses, by writing either (8/2)*(2+2) or 8/(2*(2+2)).

[Tank Program]

Hmm, this again. Not to be cheap, but the calculator gives 16. The important thing though is to know what's going on when the calculator does that, so that if you mean something else you can put it in right. At least that's how I was taught it. In all practicality I think it's pretty rare that you come across an equation like this that you need to solve, so... it doesn't matter! The only time it's an issue is for yourself, unless you're a mathematician but even then this sort of thing is rare I think.

[Mecca]

[dlh]

Implied Multiplication Versus Explicit Multiplication on TI Graphing Calculators

[Mecca]

Implied Multiplication Versus Explicit Multiplication on TI Graphing Calculators

Yeah, that link was on the website I found the picture on. The picture just made me laugh at first glance.