This question would be a lot easier to settle with a couple of these guys ( and ) (Paranthesis or something). It could be:
(4*3)/(2*3) = 8
or:
4*(3/(2*3)) = 2
or:
((4*3)/2)*3 = 18
Don´t which one Ramzi was thinking about, so I can´t give an answer!
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This question would be a lot easier to settle with a couple of these guys ( and ) (Paranthesis or something). It could be:
(4*3)/(2*3) = 8
or:
4*(3/(2*3)) = 2
or:
((4*3)/2)*3 = 18
Don´t which one Ramzi was thinking about, so I can´t give an answer!
I always thought that when doing something like this you use BODMAS
4*3/3*2
so you work out the multiplication first
4*3 and 3*2
then work out the division
12 / 6
= 2
which is the correct answer
=0)
The calculater doesnt work out the math in the correct order it works from left to right --->
Hope this helps
Haha. This is great. I can't believe we got so many mixed responses. These responses were a great reenactment of how the argument with my mom went.
But what's the answer? When so many of you seem smart, and back your answers with official rules, it's hard to know which way to side. Math is exact, and there're supposed to be rules. I'm just so surprised this thread is torn over something as basic as algebra. Hmm... I'll ask my geometry teacher later today in third period. I'm in the first period now. (C++).
Alright, thanks for all your responses guys.
Ramzi
Well, I'm throwing my answer in and saying that the answer is most certainly 8, not 2...
4 * 3 / 3 * 2 = 8
Basically, I'll break it down like this.. With no parantheses, you look at multiplication and division in the same light, from left to right - that is, whichever one you get to first, you do... 4 * 3 = 12 / 3 = 4 * 2 = 8...
The answer is 8...
What if you wrote the problem like this:
4 * 3
------ = ?
3 * 2
Now there is no "left to right" rule to think about for the division. Only the multiplication. If I saw this equation like this, I would immediately cancel the 3's out, and be left with 4 divided by 2. There can't be a rule that is dependant on how you write the equation. My bet is the answer is 2.
4 * 3Quote:
Originally posted here by roswell1329
There can't be a rule that is dependant on how you write the equation
------ <> 4 * 3 / 3 * 2
3 * 2
4 * 3
------- = (4 * 3) / (3 * 2)
3 * 2
The way it was initially written, and the way that he explained the problem, indicates that the answer is indeed 8.Quote:
Why don't we just put it in a poll :D
-toad
It all depends on the parentheses. If it is 4*3/3*2 then 8 is the correct answer. However, if it is (4*3)/(3*2) then the answer is 2.
This, of course, is absolutely correct. This is what I was taught in school, and by my Father, the Math Major. Order of Operations is key, and in the absence of parenthesis, must be completed left to right, multiplication and division first, addition and subtraction second.Quote:
Originally posted here by Jabberwocky
sorry y2k, it's 8. and my ti-89 agrees with me.
http://amby.com/educate/ord-op/
mulitiplication and division have the same precidence:
Parentheses (Innermost, first)
Exponents (Powers or roots)
Multiply or Divide (from LEFT-to-RIGHT)
Add or Subtract (from LEFT-to-RIGHT)
* First, copy the problem EXACTLY.
* Then go through each level of operations (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally).
* DO THE OPERATIONS WITHIN EACH LEVEL FROM LEFT-TO-RIGHT.
* Write the answer directly below the operation sign.
* Bring down the other numbers (be careful not to re-use any).
* Continue until all operations are completed.
4*3/3*2
[12]/3*2
[4]*2
8
If it were written (4*3)/(3*2), your mother would be right on the money. But it's not, so you are correct. The answer is 8.
Quote:
Originally posted here by roswell1329
What if you wrote the problem like this:
4 * 3
------ = ?
3 * 2
Now there is no "left to right" rule to think about for the division. Only the multiplication. If I saw this equation like this, I would immediately cancel the 3's out, and be left with 4 divided by 2. There can't be a rule that is dependant on how you write the equation. My bet is the answer is 2.
By writing the equation like that, you are basically assigning parantheses around the 4 * 3 and around the 3 * 2 - which does change the answer. In the original problem, there are no parantheses, so the original and yours are two different problems, with two different answers. The answer to the original problem is still 8, the answer to your problem is 2.
Arrggh!! You're absolutely right! Foiled again by my own absurd sense of logic. Here was my falacy:Quote:
Originally posted here by Maverick811
By writing the equation like that, you are basically assigning parantheses around the 4 * 3 and around the 3 * 2 - which does change the answer. In the original problem, there are no parantheses, so the original and yours are two different problems, with two different answers. The answer to the original problem is still 8, the answer to your problem is 2.
4 * 3 / 3 * 2 = ?
is not the same as
4 * 3
------ = ?
3 * 2
To write
4 * 3 / 3 * 2 = ?
another way, you would have to do this:
.......3
4 * --- * 2 = ?
.......3
This would, of course, translate to:
4 * 1 * 2 = 8
So, the answer is 8! Whoopee! Many apologies to those I may have led astray with my warped logic and utter lack of mathematical sense. :bigsmile: