What is the answer to 48/2(9+3)?

**slofox** · 12th April 2011, 15:13

Originally Posted by YellowDog

I am surprised that no maths teachers have come forward...............

I was a maths resource teacher in a former life...but don't tell anyone...

**davebullet** · 12th April 2011, 16:19

It's 288 dumbarses :-)

**meteor** · 12th April 2011, 16:59

I asked my year 13 daughter, she said it's 288, so did my wife, I got confused when I saw it was mathematical and my brain started to hurt...

From Cheers (for those that can remember)

"Well you see, Norm, it's like this . . . A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

Now where's my beer?

**slofox** · 12th April 2011, 20:39

Hafta say - I have really enjoyed this thread! Apart from the infighting of course...

Quite a convoluted piece of simplicity really. A very nice example of ambiguity in regards to how one might see it. Both ways can be defended - there is no right or wrong here. (Except MYYYYYYYYY way of course!)

Whoever wrote it should be SHOT!.

But paid for entertainment value.

**Hanne** · 18th April 2011, 11:14

Equations like this are the whole reason I have a job!

**Latte** · 18th April 2011, 11:45

Originally Posted by Hanne

Equations like this are the whole reason I have a job!

Noooooooo, let it die!

BTW the government's answer would be 145 (thats the fairest, most politically correct answer, whether it's right or not isn't important)

**Hitcher** · 18th April 2011, 20:23

Originally Posted by Oblivion

How did you get 288? Even looking at it, I still can't see it.

Anyway, according to BEDMAS, the answer is 2

BODMAS. Gahh!

The answer is still 2.

**Camshaft** · 18th April 2011, 20:52

yeah its 2. says mathmatical modeling lecturer, and my own common sense

**Hitcher** · 18th April 2011, 20:54

To be anything other than 2, the brackets aren't needed in the original equation.

**steve_t** · 18th April 2011, 21:06

Is this still going?

**sil3nt** · 20th April 2011, 12:18

Thread must not die!

We should ask this kid http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1dd_1303198099

**R-Soul** · 21st April 2011, 12:03

Originally Posted by hiss

Noooooooo, let it die!

BTW the government's answer would be 145 (thats the fairest, most politically correct answer, whether it's right or not isn't important)

No, the governments answer is higher ACC levies...

**huff3r** · 21st April 2011, 21:04

Answer is 5. Since we get to make up our own rules apparently. And I like 5.

**Naki Rat** · 21st April 2011, 22:35

288, 'cause Google says so

Besides, in mathematics the brackets indicate the first function to be done (from the innermost brackets if more than a single 'layer') then powers such as squared or cubed etc, then / or x occur in the order they appear, followed by + or - .

So:

48/2 (9+3) becomes 48 / 2 x 12 = 288

Next....