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

**sil3nt** · 8th April 2011, 19:55

Just saw a big argument on another forum.

Is it 288 or 2?

My maths tells me its 288.

**Oblivion** · 8th April 2011, 19:59

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

Anyway, according to BEDMAS, the answer is 2

**schrodingers cat** · 8th April 2011, 20:02

BODMAS

B - Stands for Bracket.
O - Stands for "OF" or "Orders" (i.e. Powers and Square Roots, etc.)
D - Stands for Division.
M - Stands for Multiplication.
A - Stands for Addition.
S - Stands for Subtraction

You do the math

**sil3nt** · 8th April 2011, 20:04

Originally Posted by schrodingers cat

BODMAS

B - Stands for Bracket.
O - Stands for "OF" or "Orders" (i.e. Powers and Square Roots, etc.)
D - Stands for Division.
M - Stands for Multiplication.
A - Stands for Addition.
S - Stands for Subtraction

You do the math

Brackets - 9+3 = 12
Division - 48/2 = 24
Multiplication - 24 * 12 = 288

**BMWST?** · 8th April 2011, 20:05

its 2
48 divide by 2(9+3)
unless you have missed out an operator its 48/2*12
48/24
2
its 288 if its written like this (48/2)(9+3)

**bogan** · 8th April 2011, 20:05

288, but it is a poorly written equation, I can tell by the pixels

**schrodingers cat** · 8th April 2011, 20:06

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Brackets - 9+3 = 12
Division - 48/2 = 24
Multiplication - 24 * 12 = 288

Right you are then gov'ner

**Oblivion** · 8th April 2011, 20:06

Originally Posted by sil3nt

Brackets - 9+3 = 12
Division - 48/2 = 24
Multiplication - 24 * 12 = 288

But, the 2 is a coefficient of the bracket. So it still means that it will fall under the bracket step. I think.

**bogan** · 8th April 2011, 20:16

Originally Posted by Oblivion

But, the 2 is a coefficient of the bracket. So it still means that it will fall under the bracket step. I think.

I think it's an implicit multiplication, you generally only see it used that way if the preceding operator is an addition or subtraction, meaning the implicit multiplication takes precedence anyway.

**marie_speeds** · 8th April 2011, 20:19

9+3=12
12 X 2 =24
48/12=2

on calculator 48/(2(9+3))=2

**Latte** · 8th April 2011, 20:20

Originally Posted by marie_speeds

9+3=12
12 X 2 =24
48/12=2

on calculator 48/(2(9+3))=2

Take the extra brackets out, and it's 288........

**Oblivion** · 8th April 2011, 20:20

Originally Posted by bogan

I think it's an implicit multiplication, you generally only see it used that way if the preceding operator is an addition or subtraction, meaning the implicit multiplication takes precedence anyway.

After taking a look at it, really, the answer depends on whether it is written on one line or two.

If we write it on 2 lines,
48
____
2(9+3)

Then, of course the answer will be two. Because we are working with the denominator first, then simplifying. All because of the rules of algebra.

However, when it is written on one line, the rules of algebra will not apply, meaning that BEDMAS is used giving the answer as 288.

(48/2) *(9+3)

So create an either option please.