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A Simple Math Problem? - Page 76

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Facedriller
Profile Joined January 2011
Sweden275 Posts
April 08 2011 16:30 GMT
#1501
It's 288.

You fucking idiots.

User was warned for this post

User was temp banned for this post.
A Marine walks into a bar and says: "Where's the counter?"
Vorenius
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Denmark1979 Posts
April 08 2011 16:31 GMT
#1502
On April 09 2011 01:12 Terranist wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:07 Hesmyrr wrote:
Guys, this is pointless. This is not a limited debate which members for the either camps are fixed. Even if should you able to persuade most of the opposite camp, law of the internet decrees that there will always be appearance of new individuals who will fight against you. Seriously- wtf is this thread still alive?


this thread seriously needs to die. it is shameful that TL users are too hardheaded and judgmental to understand that the problem lies in interpretation and NOT mathematics.

Huh?
The equation is silly and designed to trap people but I'm sure it's not open to interpretation. If I saw anyone writing this while doing an actual math problem I would slap them and demand they wrote it properly. But that doesn't make it "wrong" or open to interpretation. The answer is final and it's 288. Don't be sad though, I voted 2 as well.

Seems like you are the hardheaded one here... :s
VIB
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Brazil3567 Posts
April 08 2011 16:31 GMT
#1503
On April 09 2011 01:29 Nysze wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:26 VIB wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:21 RBKeys wrote:
Guys, math isn't some regional thing. Leading bodies in this field come from all over and agree on a set standard for all this stuff. If you interpret it wrong then you either had a brain fart or you don't understand math. It doesn't matter whether or not you have 2*x or 2x, or that "where I'm from we do it blah blah blah." If you have two PhD's, one from North America, one from Asia, they are both going to see 2x as the same as 2*x because that's how math works. This isn't a debate about interpretation or about math, it's just some people trying to recoup some dignity after getting the question wrong.
Prove me and point me to where I can find this leading consensus on math. We discussed this on page 60 something. We looked it up and concluded that programming and engineering have central authorities guiding standards. But math doesn't.

Feel free to prove me wrong. But so far it seems that both 2 or 288 are "officially" wrong answers.


It's called implied multiplication, google it.
That has NOTHING to do with the source of the ambiguity in this problem. The problem here is determining where the denominators of the division sign ends. Nothing else.
Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people.
VIB
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Brazil3567 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 16:34:22
April 08 2011 16:33 GMT
#1504
On April 09 2011 01:31 Vorenius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:12 Terranist wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:07 Hesmyrr wrote:
Guys, this is pointless. This is not a limited debate which members for the either camps are fixed. Even if should you able to persuade most of the opposite camp, law of the internet decrees that there will always be appearance of new individuals who will fight against you. Seriously- wtf is this thread still alive?


this thread seriously needs to die. it is shameful that TL users are too hardheaded and judgmental to understand that the problem lies in interpretation and NOT mathematics.

Huh?
The equation is silly and designed to trap people but I'm sure it's not open to interpretation. If I saw anyone writing this while doing an actual math problem I would slap them and demand they wrote it properly. But that doesn't make it "wrong" or open to interpretation. The answer is final and it's 288. Don't be sad though, I voted 2 as well.

Seems like you are the hardheaded one here... :s
76 pages

Not ONE SINGLE POST proves that there's only one interpretation and that it's not ambiguous. Quite a few others clearly showing the opposite. Yes I read it all ^^ (which is actually not hard since 90% of the posts are "lol ur all dumb it's [wrong answer]")
Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people.
eatmyshorts5
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States1530 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 16:35:51
April 08 2011 16:34 GMT
#1505
Don't mean to be rude, but I find it interesting some people here are calling an arithmetic problem (albeit set up confusingly) open to interpretation. Let me emphasize. This isn't real analysis or integration where creativity is encouraged, this is arithmetic. I welcome somebody to prove me wrong and I will gladly listen =D.
BF:BC2 ID: BisuStork//CJ Entusman #32
gyth
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
657 Posts
April 08 2011 16:34 GMT
#1506
On April 09 2011 01:24 trainRiderJ wrote:
It's a problem of not understanding math. Math is universal, there is only one correct way to "interpret" the problem. Other "interpretations" are just wrong.

Sounds more like religion than math.
The plural of anecdote is not data.
Nysze
Profile Joined July 2010
United States111 Posts
April 08 2011 16:36 GMT
#1507
On April 09 2011 01:31 VIB wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:29 Nysze wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:26 VIB wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:21 RBKeys wrote:
Guys, math isn't some regional thing. Leading bodies in this field come from all over and agree on a set standard for all this stuff. If you interpret it wrong then you either had a brain fart or you don't understand math. It doesn't matter whether or not you have 2*x or 2x, or that "where I'm from we do it blah blah blah." If you have two PhD's, one from North America, one from Asia, they are both going to see 2x as the same as 2*x because that's how math works. This isn't a debate about interpretation or about math, it's just some people trying to recoup some dignity after getting the question wrong.
Prove me and point me to where I can find this leading consensus on math. We discussed this on page 60 something. We looked it up and concluded that programming and engineering have central authorities guiding standards. But math doesn't.

Feel free to prove me wrong. But so far it seems that both 2 or 288 are "officially" wrong answers.


It's called implied multiplication, google it.
That has NOTHING to do with the source of the ambiguity in this problem. The problem here is determining where the denominators of the division sign ends. Nothing else.


READ the quote that you originally quoted asking for proof, it is stating that 2 * x is the same as 2x. Now you are bringing something else up that is completely different, and also irrational
Well butter my biscuit
RBKeys
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Canada196 Posts
April 08 2011 16:36 GMT
#1508
On April 09 2011 01:26 VIB wrote:
Prove me and point me to where I can find this leading consensus on math. We discussed this on page 60 something. We looked it up and concluded that programming and engineering have central authorities guiding standards. But math doesn't.

Feel free to prove me wrong. But so far it seems that both 2 or 288 are "officially" wrong answers.


Check any basic math text book from grade school to basic university math. Everything in there is a result of tried, tested, and true methods of solving math problems. There's a reason why this stuff is taught in school, because if it didn't work then what good would it be? Ever wonder why the world can progress on multiple fronts (I.e., technology, medicine, infrastructure, etc.)? It's because they don't argue basic math anymore. If they did, then the more advanced stuff wouldn't work and we would still be in the dark ages. I'm not a math major, not even a math enthusiast, and, although I don't know of a book with the title: "The leading authority on math presents: a compendium . . ." I do know that this has been around for thousands of years and one would think that in that time, people way smarter than all of us, would have come to a conclusion about what this thread has talked about and put it into effect . . . oh wait.
Thanks for the break :D
eatmyshorts5
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States1530 Posts
April 08 2011 16:37 GMT
#1509
On April 09 2011 01:34 gyth wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:24 trainRiderJ wrote:
It's a problem of not understanding math. Math is universal, there is only one correct way to "interpret" the problem. Other "interpretations" are just wrong.

Sounds more like religion than math.

Reminds me of this comic

[image loading]

Definitely made me think the first time I read it.

BF:BC2 ID: BisuStork//CJ Entusman #32
Deadlyfish
Profile Joined August 2010
Denmark1980 Posts
April 08 2011 16:38 GMT
#1510
On April 09 2011 01:31 Vorenius wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:12 Terranist wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:07 Hesmyrr wrote:
Guys, this is pointless. This is not a limited debate which members for the either camps are fixed. Even if should you able to persuade most of the opposite camp, law of the internet decrees that there will always be appearance of new individuals who will fight against you. Seriously- wtf is this thread still alive?


this thread seriously needs to die. it is shameful that TL users are too hardheaded and judgmental to understand that the problem lies in interpretation and NOT mathematics.

Huh?
The equation is silly and designed to trap people but I'm sure it's not open to interpretation. If I saw anyone writing this while doing an actual math problem I would slap them and demand they wrote it properly. But that doesn't make it "wrong" or open to interpretation. The answer is final and it's 288. Don't be sad though, I voted 2 as well.

Seems like you are the hardheaded one here... :s



Yea, fairly sure if wrote 43/2(9+3) on my math test or something i'd get it wrong because you aren't supposed to write it like that, because it's really confusing. It's just a really stupid question to me.

It's funny how people call each other idiots over this though
If wishes were horses we'd be eating steak right now.
trainRiderJ
Profile Joined August 2010
United States615 Posts
April 08 2011 16:40 GMT
#1511
On April 09 2011 01:34 gyth wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:24 trainRiderJ wrote:
It's a problem of not understanding math. Math is universal, there is only one correct way to "interpret" the problem. Other "interpretations" are just wrong.

Sounds more like religion than math.

Let me know when you come up with some sort of real thought or meaning behind your "witty" comment...
BackupHero
Profile Joined June 2010
United States5 Posts
April 08 2011 16:40 GMT
#1512
Dudes, the answer is 288. The equation is poorly written to trick people into answering 2 at first, like I did when I first looked at it. After solving the addition, its enitirely possible to instinctively do the multiplication next, due to how we're all taught about how important parathesis are. However, in this case, its incorrect. There is no shame in answering 2 at first, because somebody intentionally designed this to trick you into doing so.

However, its not open to interpretation. Take the equation, substitute one of the values for x, and set it equal to 288. When you solve for x, x will equal the value that you substituted. This does not happen when you set the equation equal to 2.
Zhou
Profile Joined February 2009
United States832 Posts
April 08 2011 16:41 GMT
#1513
Totally fucked that up. I read after clicking two because I read the topic title and believed it. This is why I'm so bad at math maybe. Taking my time? What's that~
Vorenius
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Denmark1979 Posts
April 08 2011 16:42 GMT
#1514
On April 09 2011 01:33 VIB wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:31 Vorenius wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:12 Terranist wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:07 Hesmyrr wrote:
Guys, this is pointless. This is not a limited debate which members for the either camps are fixed. Even if should you able to persuade most of the opposite camp, law of the internet decrees that there will always be appearance of new individuals who will fight against you. Seriously- wtf is this thread still alive?


this thread seriously needs to die. it is shameful that TL users are too hardheaded and judgmental to understand that the problem lies in interpretation and NOT mathematics.

Huh?
The equation is silly and designed to trap people but I'm sure it's not open to interpretation. If I saw anyone writing this while doing an actual math problem I would slap them and demand they wrote it properly. But that doesn't make it "wrong" or open to interpretation. The answer is final and it's 288. Don't be sad though, I voted 2 as well.

Seems like you are the hardheaded one here... :s
76 pages

Not ONE SINGLE POST proves that there's only one interpretation and that it's not ambiguous. Quite a few others clearly showing the opposite. Yes I read it all ^^ (which is actually not hard since 90% of the posts are "lol ur all dumb it's [wrong answer]")

1)Terms inside brackets
2)Expressions with exponents.
3)Multiply and divide in order from left to right.
4)Add and subtract in order from left to right.

And when following that you get 288. There is no interpretation. That's how it works.

Don't be angry because you get fooled by an equation constructed in a way to fool people...
trainRiderJ
Profile Joined August 2010
United States615 Posts
April 08 2011 16:42 GMT
#1515
On April 09 2011 01:37 eatmyshorts5 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:34 gyth wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:24 trainRiderJ wrote:
It's a problem of not understanding math. Math is universal, there is only one correct way to "interpret" the problem. Other "interpretations" are just wrong.

Sounds more like religion than math.

Reminds me of this comic

[image loading]

Definitely made me think the first time I read it.


The problem is that we don't teach people the "why" of all this until their third year of math in university. Mathematics has been dumbed down to such a degree that integers are now the "counting numbers" and kids obviously aren't even taught order of operations.
Sneakyz
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden2361 Posts
April 08 2011 16:42 GMT
#1516
On April 09 2011 01:36 Nysze wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 09 2011 01:31 VIB wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:29 Nysze wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:26 VIB wrote:
On April 09 2011 01:21 RBKeys wrote:
Guys, math isn't some regional thing. Leading bodies in this field come from all over and agree on a set standard for all this stuff. If you interpret it wrong then you either had a brain fart or you don't understand math. It doesn't matter whether or not you have 2*x or 2x, or that "where I'm from we do it blah blah blah." If you have two PhD's, one from North America, one from Asia, they are both going to see 2x as the same as 2*x because that's how math works. This isn't a debate about interpretation or about math, it's just some people trying to recoup some dignity after getting the question wrong.
Prove me and point me to where I can find this leading consensus on math. We discussed this on page 60 something. We looked it up and concluded that programming and engineering have central authorities guiding standards. But math doesn't.

Feel free to prove me wrong. But so far it seems that both 2 or 288 are "officially" wrong answers.


It's called implied multiplication, google it.
That has NOTHING to do with the source of the ambiguity in this problem. The problem here is determining where the denominators of the division sign ends. Nothing else.


READ the quote that you originally quoted asking for proof, it is stating that 2 * x is the same as 2x. Now you are bringing something else up that is completely different, and also irrational

2*x and 2x are the same, yes, but if you write for example 3/2x on a calculator it will calculate it as 3/2*x, which i assume is what this problem is about.
I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.
VIB
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Brazil3567 Posts
April 08 2011 16:43 GMT
#1517
On April 09 2011 01:34 eatmyshorts5 wrote:
Don't mean to be rude, but I find it interesting some people here are calling an arithmetic problem (albeit set up confusingly) open to interpretation. Let me emphasize. This isn't real analysis or integration where creativity is encouraged, this is arithmetic. I welcome somebody to prove me wrong and I will gladly listen =D.

http://math.berkeley.edu/~wu/order5.pdf

Just read the first few paragraphs.
Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people.
eatmyshorts5
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States1530 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-04-08 16:45:02
April 08 2011 16:44 GMT
#1518
I just came to this thread, and now I'm leaving. Too many charged emotions for such a trivial subject. Honestly some of the arguing going on just seems like cursory bashing, with no intention of reading or interpreting what each other say.

+ Show Spoiler +
I realize i might sound hypocritical saying this =p
BF:BC2 ID: BisuStork//CJ Entusman #32
Ceril
Profile Joined April 2003
Sweden1343 Posts
April 08 2011 16:44 GMT
#1519
If a÷b is to be interpretade as ((a)÷(b)) and our b is 2(3+9) "2*(3+9)" with then I will say its 2.
For me ÷ and / have the same meaning in text. left side number/right side number. if its algebra,1/2x,
gives us a silent () around the 2x 1/(2x) to show they belong togheter. Am I correct in this thinking?

48/2x would mean I would read it as (48/(2x)) and likeso ((48)÷(2x)). Both carry the same meaning in my imaginary mind. You never use ÷ to show your dividing, you use a slash if you do see the ÷ sign its saying the exact same thing.

So in other news, we must reach a settlement on how to actualy intepret our new lover "÷"

...And I got a scolding from the lady just now typing this.
I asked her, she said 2 I said 288. Argument followed like here.
She said: the ÷ defines everything right under the line and everything left above. Should you rewrite it on paper...
48
-------- =2
2(9+3)

Had you used a simple slash it would mean (48/2)*(9+3) or 288.
I'am saying they are the same, she's saying its actualy my above mentioned ((a)/(b)) form =(

I'am so confused now Someone link me a definetive source so I can say ÷ === /







Just because you can now store where everyone was and is, what they like, what they fear who they talk to and who they love. It does not mean we should so spy upon our fellow man in a dystopia far worse then 1984
KillyKyll
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States267 Posts
April 08 2011 16:46 GMT
#1520
I have to say, pretty awesome results. Of course there is no shame in getting wrong (I'm disappointed in most of the posts in this thread...), but just having truthful answers show cool things.
Seriously?
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