For those who were trying to figure out the math problem the answer was 16 NOT 1 like I though! Here is the explanation...
Keep seeing this math question pop up and every time I see wrong answers. The equation is purposely written in a confusing manner so as to throw off the reader/solver.
Easiest way to avoid this is to do some rearranging of the numbers using some common math principles.
Equation is 8 ÷ 2(2+2). Now theres a whole bunch of confusing stuff in here meant to throw off those who are in advanced mathematics classes because you're conditioned to do some things thanks to Algebra and Calculus. One of these is distributing the 2(2+2) to make 4+4 = 8. Problem in this that 2(2+2) is not it's own formula.
So to accurately fix some of the more confusing issues, we turn everything into multiplication. To do this, we change the ÷2 into a fraction (as division is just a fancy way of multiplying by a fraction anyways)
This makes 8 ÷ 2 × (2+2)
Written again as 8 × (1/2) × (2+2)
Simplified down to:
8 × (0.5) × 4
Solving directly across means we arrive at our answer of 16.
Getting into a whole bunch of issues is the fact of conditioning most folks get into as they end around PreCalculus/Calc1, and the equation is written in a way to take advantage of it. Order of Operations aside, this is why its helpful for simpler problems to entirely convert them into one format if possible, that being multiplication or addition once the fancy stuff is out of the way.
Thanks Satan, as if I needed to do math again.
Edited for some clarity.
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Well, of course the error in this:
“This makes 8 ÷ 2 × (2+2)
Written again as 8 × (1/2) × (2+2)”
Is that whereas turning 2 into 2/1 and then invert it, will turn this:
8 ÷ 2/1
Into this:
8 x 1/2
But not into this:
8 x 1/2 x (2+2)
The correct inversion of the complete term will result in this:
8 x 1/2 ÷ (2+2)
Which then turns into this:
8 x 0.5 ÷ 4
4 ÷ 4 = 1
Rodatheist
Level 7
Oct 15, 2020
1
Math, you need to sort your shit out!
QuidamOutrepont
Level 8
Aug 13, 2019
1
No, you don’t NEED to. You do it because you LIKE to do it. Just like some people like to try to hit an incoming ball with a bat.
Although, I submit that whereas becoming good at hitting a ball is “impressive”, becoming good at math is “useful”. And anyone who does not agree with this comparison might just as well go out there and simply keep improving their batting average.
Sorry, that's incorrect... You cannot rewrite 2(2+2) as 2 x (2+2) ... It changes the whole equation... PEMDAS. .. parentheses first... Then exponent... Absent here... Then multiplication.... We etc, etc.. the answer is one...
Cutiebeauty
Level 9
Aug 13, 2019
0
The order of operations rule about brackets (or parenthesis) referes to the operations that are inside the brackets only, not outside.
Also there is already an implied multiplication sign between the 2 and the first bracket.
The rewriting of it only makes it clearer, it doesn't change it.
@scurry yes, you're right, I realized this when I thought about it later... The answer is still one though...
@Cutiebeauty If that's what you choose to believe, that's your choice.
@scurry well, do you use the BODMAS method rather than the PEMDAS method? Cause if the 2 implies multiplication, as you say, and it's flush against the parenthesis, that would indicate that the multiplication be applied to the results of the parenthesis... so, it's really not a matter of belief... Otherwise, to get a one as an answer we must write the equation like...
8 ÷ (2(2+2))
@Cutiebeauty Adding brackets now?
good for you. I hope that works out...
But I'm pretty sure that now how math works.
If the answer is shown to be one thing and you choose to believe it's something else, there is nothing I can say or do to change your mind.
I'm confident, in the grand scheme of things, the answer to this math question won't matter much to you or I beyond this post.
@scurry No. The order of operations say parenthesis first, not because it refers to only resolving the operation inside the parenthesis, but to resolve the existence of the parenthesis themselves, that is, to get rid of the parenthesis first. So you resolve 2+2 and then immediately multiply by the 2 outside the parenthesis, leaving you with 8 ÷ 8 = 1
@Cutiebeauty Yes. This:
8 ÷ (2(2+2))
would be correct.
@Cutiebeauty, @scurry Scurry, Cutiebeauty is adding parenthesis, not brackets, and she is doing it in a correct way to clarify the term. You may be pretty sure that it is not how math works, but you are wrong.
There is no “belief” in math, there are only rules, and there are those who know those rules, and those who don’t.
And you may be right about the fact that the answer to this math question won’t matter beyond this post, but knowing how to solve it will make all the difference in thousands of academic circles around the world and through the years.
You are right.
@Rodatheist exactly, I was clarifying the term ☺
@Cutiebeauty I think we make a good team.
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