• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 07:47
CEST 13:47
KST 20:47
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash8[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy13ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book20
Community News
Weekly Cups (March 23-29): herO takes triple6Aligulac acquired by REPLAYMAN.com/Stego Research6Weekly Cups (March 16-22): herO doubles, Cure surprises3Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool49Weekly Cups (March 9-15): herO, Clem, ByuN win4
StarCraft 2
General
Weekly Cups (March 23-29): herO takes triple Aligulac acquired by REPLAYMAN.com/Stego Research Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy What mix of new & old maps do you want in the next ladder pool? (SC2) herO wins SC2 All-Star Invitational
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL Season 4 announced for March-April StarCraft Evolution League (SC Evo Biweekly) WardiTV Mondays World University TeamLeague (500$+) | Signups Open
Strategy
Custom Maps
[M] (2) Frigid Storage Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026]
External Content
Mutation # 519 Inner Power The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 518 Radiation Zone Mutation # 517 Distant Threat
Brood War
General
Pros React To: SoulKey vs Ample BW General Discussion Build Order Practice Maps [ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro24 Group F [ASL21] Ro24 Group E 🌍 Weekly Foreign Showmatches [ASL21] Ro24 Group B
Strategy
Fighting Spirit mining rates What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Darkest Dungeon
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine The Games Industry And ATVI European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT] Tokyo Olympics 2021 Thread General nutrition recommendations
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 9644 users

A Simple Math Problem? - Page 52

Forum Index > General Forum
Post a Reply
Prev 1 50 51 52 53 54 98 Next
kuzyk
Profile Joined January 2011
United States19 Posts
April 08 2011 05:07 GMT
#1021
On April 08 2011 13:39 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 08 2011 13:32 EEhantiming wrote:
i got 2
48÷2(9+3)
48÷2(12)
48÷24=2


Except

"48÷2(12)
48÷24=2"

is an incorrect step. You do division (48÷2) to get 24 before you do the multiplication. PEMDAS. Multiplication and division are on the same tier, so you whichever one comes first from left to right.
And then 24(12) is 288.

I think it's embarrassing how over 40% of the people who took the poll got it wrong...


you continue to hold the (12) until the end. but the way you have done the problem you could have
reduced it initially to 24(9+3), and then 24(12) for 288. essentially your method ignores the parenthesis.
Mjolnir
Profile Joined January 2009
912 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 05:11:38
April 08 2011 05:10 GMT
#1022

Deleted.

WeeKeong
Profile Joined October 2010
United States282 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 05:19:47
April 08 2011 05:15 GMT
#1023
Wow, some people here are so dumb it's not even funny. This is like basic mathematics...

48/2(3+9)
= 48 / 2 * (3+9) ........ 5(2) = 5*2, 4(1+1) = 4*(1+1), Note: the qn is not 48/(2(3+9)
= 48 / 2 * (12) ........ .. Further note: the qn is not 48
........................................................... -------------------
........................................................... 2 ( 3+9 )
= 12 * 48 / 2
= not 2

Note: 5*4*3 = 3*4*5, 2*3/4 = 3*2/4 = 2/4*3 etc etc as * and / can be switched around in an eqn without brackets.

eg. 9x8/7/6/5 = 1x9x8/7/6/5 = 1/5/6/7x8x9 = 9x1/7x8/6/5 etc etc

Note: 1/2 = _1_.......5x6/7/8 = _5_ x _6_ x _1_ x _1_
...................2.........................1........1...... 7.......8

I don't know about America, but to the rest of the world, this is how the / sign works.
Terranist
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States2496 Posts
April 08 2011 05:15 GMT
#1024
what more is there to discuss? it is like a dog trying to eat its own tail. even though it is written like an eight grade level problem, we can't forget PEMDAS, left to right, 288.

the poll in the OP is interesting because i think this is something that trips up the college educated people and is simple to even a HS dropout.
The Show of a Lifetime
cujo2k
Profile Joined October 2007
Canada1044 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 05:17:51
April 08 2011 05:16 GMT
#1025
I think that saying the answer of 288 is correct, but I can also see the merit in the answer being 2 since a lot of people might actually mean to include the parentheses even if they don't in the original problem. That maybe why different calculator versions might assume the parentheses since it might be the more common notation.
Saw this pic on another forum:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9549/headasplode.jpg (Doesn't show up properly on image macro so click that link to see what is apparently a TI85 vs TI86 comparison)
Also, my scientific calculator spat out 2 as well. So it really is a matter of interpretation. Luckily math problems are never written in such a confusing manner, so I don't think it's a big deal either way.
THE ANSWER IS 288
Annoying
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada34 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 05:19:39
April 08 2011 05:17 GMT
#1026
Yea, it's pretty sad how many people here are using this thread as a self-esteem boost, just because they got the right answer to a simple but misleading math question.

Tbh I did get 2 but at first glance i saw the question as:

48
-------- =?
2(9+3)

or
(48÷2)(9+3)=?

I'm a straight A math student and I can't say I wasn't surprised that I got the wrong answer. Still not sure if I'm actually wrong but idc since I stopped using the ÷ notation in grade 2 or 3.

mcc
Profile Joined October 2010
Czech Republic4646 Posts
April 08 2011 05:18 GMT
#1027
On April 08 2011 13:39 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 08 2011 13:32 EEhantiming wrote:
i got 2
48÷2(9+3)
48÷2(12)
48÷24=2


Except

"48÷2(12)
48÷24=2"

is an incorrect step. You do division (48÷2) to get 24 before you do the multiplication. PEMDAS. Multiplication and division are on the same tier, so you whichever one comes first from left to right.
And then 24(12) is 288.

I think it's embarrassing how over 40% of the people who took the poll got it wrong...

But this is not a law, just a notation. There is a bunch of different notations that do not use any of those rules, and it is easy to create notation where 48/2(2+2) = 6. You just define that implicit multiplication has bigger priority than division/explicit multiplication. This is actually used informally and there is no problem with that as long as people agree to interpret it like that. When you want to write something formally you just use parenthesis anyway.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States45423 Posts
April 08 2011 05:18 GMT
#1028
On April 08 2011 14:07 kuzyk wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 08 2011 13:39 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:
On April 08 2011 13:32 EEhantiming wrote:
i got 2
48÷2(9+3)
48÷2(12)
48÷24=2


Except

"48÷2(12)
48÷24=2"

is an incorrect step. You do division (48÷2) to get 24 before you do the multiplication. PEMDAS. Multiplication and division are on the same tier, so you whichever one comes first from left to right.
And then 24(12) is 288.

I think it's embarrassing how over 40% of the people who took the poll got it wrong...


you continue to hold the (12) until the end. but the way you have done the problem you could have
reduced it initially to 24(9+3), and then 24(12) for 288. essentially your method ignores the parenthesis.


I don't understand what you mean by that. EEhantiming already did the addition inside of the parentheses to get 12 on the inside first, and a number to the left of parentheses- like 24(12)- means multiplying that number times whatever value is inside the parentheses (or distributing if it's more than one term).
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
Cutlery
Profile Joined December 2010
Norway565 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 05:22:13
April 08 2011 05:19 GMT
#1029
On April 08 2011 14:15 WeeKeong wrote:
Wow, some people here are so dumb it's not even funny. This is like basic mathematics...

48/2(3+9)
= 48 / 2 * (3+9) 5(2) = 5*2, 4(1+1) = 4*(1+1), Note: the qn is not 48/(2(3+9)
= 48 / 2 * (12) Further note: the qn is not 48
-------------------
2 ( 3+9 )
= 12 * 48 / 2 Note: 5*4*3 = 3*4*5, 2*3/4 = 3*2/4 = 2/4*3 etc etc
= not 2 as * and / can be switched around in an eqn without brackets.
eg. 9x8/7/6/5 = 1x9x8/7/6/5 = 1/5/6/7x8x9 = 9x1/7x8/6/5 etc etc

Note: 1/2 = _1_ 5x6/7/8 = _5_ x _6_ x _1_ x _1_
2 , 1 1 7 8
I don't know about America, but to the rest of the world, this is how / works.


Does / indicate a fraction line or division sign? I'm just confused. According to the poll, 2/3 of poll takers read / as a fraction line, while I believe here that you use it as a division operator. Maybe everybody should just stop.. i know i will
Annoying
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada34 Posts
April 08 2011 05:24 GMT
#1030
apparently on BB.com, ppl have been e-mailing teachers and they're all saying the answer is 2. Whether they are lying or telling the truth, i dunno, maybe someone here should ask their teacher tomorrow.
pRo9aMeR
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
595 Posts
April 08 2011 05:24 GMT
#1031
you're all wrong! the answer is 8 and two-thirds
have we all forgotten about the distributive factor?
it goes like this...
First, you have to distribute the 2 to both the 9 and 3, so it looks like this
48 / (2 x 9) + (2 x 3)
= 48 / 18 + 6
= 8.66666666666...

ㅋㅋㅋI love ambiguity. It leads to interpretation and second guessing.
In training...let's play, gg! d^..^b
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States45423 Posts
April 08 2011 05:27 GMT
#1032
On April 08 2011 14:18 mcc wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 08 2011 13:39 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:
On April 08 2011 13:32 EEhantiming wrote:
i got 2
48÷2(9+3)
48÷2(12)
48÷24=2


Except

"48÷2(12)
48÷24=2"

is an incorrect step. You do division (48÷2) to get 24 before you do the multiplication. PEMDAS. Multiplication and division are on the same tier, so you whichever one comes first from left to right.
And then 24(12) is 288.

I think it's embarrassing how over 40% of the people who took the poll got it wrong...

But this is not a law, just a notation. There is a bunch of different notations that do not use any of those rules, and it is easy to create notation where 48/2(2+2) = 6. You just define that implicit multiplication has bigger priority than division/explicit multiplication. This is actually used informally and there is no problem with that as long as people agree to interpret it like that. When you want to write something formally you just use parenthesis anyway.


Except 48/2(2+2) = 48/2(4) = 24/4 = 6 for the same mathematical laws (PEMDAS) explained previously, not because 48/2(2+2) = 48/2(4) = 48/8 = 6. That's purely coincidence, as was shown in the OP's problem. Your analogous example happens to have the same answer both ways, but math is certainly not up to interpretation of notation. Math is defined and instructed by universal laws.

You can't arbitrarily make multiplication have a bigger priority than division... that's not how math works. Unless you insert parentheses to depict priority, it's never assumed that the order of operations after the P in PEMDAS is violated. Ever. (At least, not in basic arithmetic o.O)
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
CustomKal
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Canada749 Posts
April 08 2011 05:28 GMT
#1033
On April 08 2011 14:24 pRo9aMeR wrote:
you're all wrong! the answer is 8 and two-thirds
have we all forgotten about the distributive factor?
it goes like this...
First, you have to distribute the 2 to both the 9 and 3, so it looks like this
48 / (2 x 9) + (2 x 3)
= 48 / 18 + 6
= 8.66666666666...

ㅋㅋㅋI love ambiguity. It leads to interpretation and second guessing.


You sir are my hero and win.
moltenlead
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada866 Posts
April 08 2011 05:29 GMT
#1034
On April 08 2011 14:24 pRo9aMeR wrote:
you're all wrong! the answer is 8 and two-thirds
have we all forgotten about the distributive factor?
it goes like this...
First, you have to distribute the 2 to both the 9 and 3, so it looks like this
48 / (2 x 9) + (2 x 3)
= 48 / 18 + 6
= 8.66666666666...

ㅋㅋㅋI love ambiguity. It leads to interpretation and second guessing.


From general consensus, the distributive property occurs between the 48 and the (9+3)

Also, in yours, distributive still always remains one term, so using your interpretation it would be 48/(2*9+2*3)=48/24=2
]343[
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
United States10328 Posts
April 08 2011 05:29 GMT
#1035
On April 08 2011 13:08 xxpack09 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 08 2011 12:58 Severedevil wrote:
On April 08 2011 12:53 xxpack09 wrote:
PEMDAS/BEDMAS works from left to right. People tend to forget this.

Fourth-grade mnemonics do not reflect the usage of operators in any real mathematical context.

You might as well tell me that five divided by two is equal to two remainder one.


Except these "fourth-grade mnemonics" are correct in all situations....

They describe how to interpret symbols and operations in the correct manner.

So no, that's a bad analogy. "Remainders" are informal whereas the order in which mathematical operations are carried out is as formal as it gets


Since we're just pointlessly continuing this thread, might as well keep it going.

"Remainder" is NOT an informal term. The concept of "k modulo n" is fundamental in number theory, and the generalized concept of quotients in algebra come with a "remainder": the quotient group G / H is precisely the group of "remainders" when we take all the elements of G and "mod out by" (or cancel) all the elements of H.

Anyway I should stop talking since I probably just said something wrong and need to study for my algebra test lol
Writer
CustomKal
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Canada749 Posts
April 08 2011 05:33 GMT
#1036
On April 08 2011 14:29 ]343[ wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 08 2011 13:08 xxpack09 wrote:
On April 08 2011 12:58 Severedevil wrote:
On April 08 2011 12:53 xxpack09 wrote:
PEMDAS/BEDMAS works from left to right. People tend to forget this.

Fourth-grade mnemonics do not reflect the usage of operators in any real mathematical context.

You might as well tell me that five divided by two is equal to two remainder one.


Except these "fourth-grade mnemonics" are correct in all situations....

They describe how to interpret symbols and operations in the correct manner.

So no, that's a bad analogy. "Remainders" are informal whereas the order in which mathematical operations are carried out is as formal as it gets


Since we're just pointlessly continuing this thread, might as well keep it going.

"Remainder" is NOT an informal term. The concept of "k modulo n" is fundamental in number theory, and the generalized concept of quotients in algebra come with a "remainder": the quotient group G / H is precisely the group of "remainders" when we take all the elements of G and "mod out by" (or cancel) all the elements of H.

Anyway I should stop talking since I probably just said something wrong and need to study for my algebra test lol


What you said makes sense. Since it applies the most to computer science where % will the return the remainder when dividing integers. Remainders are a part of life if people like it or not. Mathematics has many different interpretations. The only issue is that with the one it uses a / sign which means division, which means we follow order of operation. Using a --- fraction sign gives an entirely different method and messes a lot of people up due to its large use in high school and later math when dealing with variables as opposed to strictly numbers.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States45423 Posts
April 08 2011 05:33 GMT
#1037
When people attempt to excuse their incorrect answers with "Math is open to interpretation", I'm out ^^ I certainly don't want to start getting angry

I suppose their math teachers should have done a better job at explaining the concepts
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
Annoying
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada34 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 05:35:25
April 08 2011 05:34 GMT
#1038
proof that answer = 2

If you have 48/2(9+3)

The 2 is attached to the (9+3), anyone who even got past algebra should remember factoring an equation out.

Example: 2(a+b)=2a+2b

2(9+3)=(18+6)

From there you get 48/(18+6)=48/24=2

not my work but i don't see how can this be wrong.

for proof, check out http://www.purplemath.com/modules/orderops2.htm 5th example.

udgnim
Profile Blog Joined April 2009
United States8024 Posts
April 08 2011 05:37 GMT
#1039
288

I'm pretty sure I learned order of operations in Elementary School
E-Sports is competitive video gaming with a spectator fan base. Do not take the word "Sports" literally.
Ponyo
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States1231 Posts
April 08 2011 05:38 GMT
#1040
oh sht, I thought I was all smart when i got 288. Then i read some posts and I am like damn. Thought I had it nailed after remembering to do the parenethesis first.
ponyo.848
Prev 1 50 51 52 53 54 98 Next
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Kung Fu Cup
11:00
2026 Week 3
WardiTV359
RotterdaM312
IndyStarCraft 98
TKL 97
Rex68
SteadfastSC53
Liquipedia
Afreeca Starleague
10:00
Ro24 Group F
BeSt vs Leta
Queen vs Jaedong
Afreeca ASL 9383
StarCastTV_EN319
LiquipediaDiscussion
Replay Cast
09:00
KungFu Cup 2026 Week 2
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 312
Lowko227
ProTech117
SortOf 114
IndyStarCraft 98
TKL 97
Rex 68
SteadfastSC 53
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 25175
Calm 12055
Bisu 5034
Flash 3346
EffOrt 764
Mini 459
Soma 448
Stork 339
actioN 306
Hyuk 280
[ Show more ]
Zeus 274
PianO 223
Hyun 170
Dewaltoss 154
Soulkey 147
Last 122
Killer 116
Snow 114
Mind 113
Rush 104
ggaemo 102
Sharp 100
hero 86
JYJ 65
ToSsGirL 54
JulyZerg 37
Barracks 36
sSak 34
Shine 34
Icarus 20
scan(afreeca) 20
yabsab 19
Sacsri 18
Shinee 18
Hm[arnc] 18
GoRush 13
Noble 13
soO 12
Movie 9
Terrorterran 8
ajuk12(nOOB) 8
Dota 2
XaKoH 615
canceldota265
Counter-Strike
olofmeister2190
zeus707
byalli569
x6flipin316
edward94
Other Games
singsing1881
B2W.Neo352
crisheroes226
Sick174
Organizations
StarCraft: Brood War
UltimateBattle 248
lovetv 16
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 19
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP3
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• iopq 2
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota254
League of Legends
• Jankos1710
Other Games
• WagamamaTV307
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
12h 13m
The PondCast
22h 13m
OSC
1d 12h
RSL Revival
1d 22h
TriGGeR vs Cure
ByuN vs Rogue
Replay Cast
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
Maru vs MaxPax
BSL
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
BSL
4 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
5 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Season 20: Qualifier 1
WardiTV Winter 2026
NationLESS Cup

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
CSL Elite League 2026
ASL Season 21
CSL Season 20: Qualifier 2
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: W1
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.