What rule says you do 2*3 first? It looks like people are making problems more difficult than it needs to be.

6/2(1+2) = 6(1/2)(1+2) = 9

Nope, this is my only account.

It's preferred, at least where I've been taught, that the beginning and end of an operator is stated in a clear way. That is, it can be interpreted by anyone without misinterpretations. By writing say 1/2x, which I do see around the web, someone outside of the writer's mind might interpret it as 0.5*x, another 1/(2x), when the writer himself meant the latter. That's why it's important to clearly state where an operator begins and ends.

http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Shale


edit:

It's preferred, at least where I've been taught, that people be taught how to properly read and interpret arithmetical expressions and equations. If someone misunderstands what "6÷2(1+2)" or "1/2x" is supposed to mean then it is his/her fault, not the writer's. Unless, of course, the writer him-/herself meant something different than what (s)he has written actually means, in which case they're both idiots.

I struck out both, now you're just "the shape". :thumbsup:

It's not their fault your car has a giant television with a dancing Alizee playing on the screen mounted on it.

I got 9 and I forgot how to do anything but basic math, so obviously the simplest answer is correct!

Anyone have Occam's Razor I can borrow to /wrists with it?

9 init

PEMDAS says it's 9

Multiplication doesn't trump division, you go left to right.

It's obviously 1 :huh:

6/(2(1+2))

if you do this: (6/2)(1+2) then you should seriously consider going back to maths 101

You added a parenthesis.

This thread should be continued and the next issue should be whether there are more rational or natural numbers. :meh:

Also, Exo, the only way that could've been blunter is if your avatar was a brick. edit: But, credit where it's due, people obviously fell for it.

:facepalm:

You can't just throw parenthesis around 2(1+2).

6/2(1+2)
6/2(3)
Then. By order of operations you get:
3(3)
9

6 / 2(1+2)
= 6 / 2(3) or [6 / 2 * 3]
= 3(3)
= 9

Smurf that. Lets go REALLY crazy and use Imaginary numbers.

Nah, let's have a debate about whether math is just all human crap or functionally real no matter what symbols we use.

I did that intentionally

You always remove all parenthesis before doing multiplication and division, therefore you must do 2(3) first and not 6/2

How exactly would you "use" them? You mean the issue should be whether there are more real or complex numbers?


edit: Exo, if you're serious....

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_L7JSg_nsDxw/TDt8b3eDPKI/AAAAAAAADfU/JVwZxSiswWw/s400/RageFace.png

Explained perfectly.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5459839/Photos/images.jpg

I just remember working with Imaginary Numbers back in HS. It was terrible.

The only problem I've got is the name itself - "imaginary". As if other numbers are not imaginary. But that is a discussion for a different thread.

Yay, math!

This is the only answer I can agree with.
We do not know the answer because the equation is not written correctly.


Disagreed. Parenthesis would not be redundant. I think the problem lies with the fact that some people believe that you should work from left to right. But I disagree on that.
An equation should be solvable in any order.

x*y = xy
xy = yx (commutativity)
So, in the case: 6 / (2(1+2)) we are allowed to switch (2(1+2)) with this ((1+2)2). Its the same, right?
In the case (6 / 2)(1+2) we are allowed to switch (6 / 2)(1+2) with (1+2)(6 / 2). Its the same, right?
The parenthesis tell you what you may commute and what not.

Since 6 / 2(1+2) does not contain any parenthesis that prohibit me from commuting 2(1+2), I should be able to do so. 6 / (1+2)2
And, we can all see that if we do so, following the left-to-right method does no longer work.
So I would say, that by these rules, if you would follow Veeno's rules, you're just placing imaginary parenthesis to help you out. Thus they are not redundant.

There is also a proof using binary trees. I wont draw it out, but it concludes that you can not write binary tree that contains the equation 6 / 2(1+2). It will either be 6 / (2(1+2)) or (6 / 2)(1+2)
(If you are willing to except that any valid equation can be writtin in a binary tree form)

Now, I would like to mention a few things.
1) Is commuting even a word? I just hope you all get me.
2) This is the view of a first year Computer Science student. Its all based that on the rule "An equation should be solvable in any order." we learn.
3) I will now hide from the wrath of Veeno

*Goes of running into the dark night, hoping he will not be found*

Aren't they called "imaginary" because they don't really make any sense. I mean, how can you square something and get a negative, unless you're already squaring a negative. And negatives can't exist I think, I dunno...I hate math.