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re: This math problem is clearly only for geniuses...
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:51 am to RBWilliams8
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:51 am to RBWilliams8
I got 9
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:51 am to WallsAllAroundMe
god I hope common core can up our standards cause clearly the old way isn't helping people figure this out if a large portion of adults are getting 3
This post was edited on 2/24/16 at 9:52 am
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:52 am to Sneaky__Sally
quote:
god I hope common core can up our standards cause clearly the old way isn't helping people figure this out
The old way clearly is helping people figure this out, thus the people getting 9. The problem is that people either have forgotten or aren't being taught correctly.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:53 am to RBWilliams8
Jesus people, the answer is 9
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:53 am to terd ferguson
My math teacher in high school would shout "PEMDAS" over and over in a terribly shrill voice. It haunts me to this day.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:53 am to GoCrazyAuburn
quote:
The problem is that people
are fricking stupid
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:53 am to Hog on the Hill
quote:
It actually doesn't matter if you do multiplication or division first. There's no reason to go left to right--you can go right to left if you want, or mix it up. It's completely arbitrary.
5x10/2 gives you the same answer no matter which order you do the multiplication/division.
This
Same point when it comes to addition/subtraction as well. It doesn't matter what order.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:54 am to Paul Allen
quote:
Answer is 3
Do you even Order Of Operations bro?
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:54 am to KG6
quote:Using order of operations precludes the need to worry about left/right. If you follow the order of operations, you don't have to go left/right.
I don't remember anyone thinking multiplication should go before division or addition before subtraction. It was the left to right rule that was in question. I've never been taught that and have a pretty extensive math background. On that other problem I see it both ways and think that problem is ambiguous. I don't think equations should be looked at as sentences reading left to right. If they were, it would be fricking retarded to write this current problem as is. Why would you not move the 3x0 to the front and not even have to worry about PEMDAS. Just answer the whole thing left to right. The other problem lacked punctuation to differentiate between doing multiplication and division first (in my opinion since I don't use left to right often). This one doesn't even bring up that issue.
And I agree, I have an extensive math background and in my opinion, going left-right is completely unimportant. I routinely broke complex problems down in a non-left/right manner, in whatever way allowed me to simplify the problem.
Order of operations is absolutely key, though.
It's completely okay to put the 3x0 in the middle of the problem.
And no, this problem is not ambiguous at all. There is only one correct way to solve the problem, period. If you disagree, it's because you don't understand the language of mathematics (which does have some arbitrary rules, like the order of operations). It's just like grammar in English. Why is it correct to say "I like the brown dog" instead of "I like the dog brown"? Just because--that's how our language works.
Why do we do multiplication/division before addition/subtraction? Just because

We have order of operations to cut down on parentheses, to be honest. There's no other reason for it.
edit: had to fix a grammar problem in my explanation of grammar and how our language works

This post was edited on 2/24/16 at 9:59 am
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:55 am to terd ferguson
quote:
terd ferguson

quite
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:56 am to Cdawg
quote:
Damn, I came up with 3^2.
Better than me, I got 27^(2/3)

Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:57 am to RBWilliams8
3+3-3x0+3=?!?!?!
3+3-0+3
3 + 3 + 3
9
I see these all the time. It saddens me with some responses.
3+3-0+3
3 + 3 + 3
9
I see these all the time. It saddens me with some responses.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:58 am to taylork37
quote:
5x10/2 gives you the same answer no matter which order you do the multiplication/division.
but it doesn't always work out. for example
3x8/2x4=
(3x8)/(2x4)= 3
3x(8/2)x4= 48
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:59 am to RBWilliams8
quote:
3+3-3x0+3=?!?!?!

Use them.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:59 am to RBWilliams8
quote:
3+3-3x0+3=?!?!?!
In my time such an equation would have been written with parenthesis as left to right was the predominant method of following an equation. The fact that people get this question wrong does not highlight their ignorance but rather the ever changing methods that are taught.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 10:01 am to NYNolaguy1
quote:
Use them.
For what? They're unnecessary for this problem.
ETA: Downvoted again by someone incapable of doing what should be simple math.

This post was edited on 2/24/16 at 10:04 am
Posted on 2/24/16 at 10:01 am to RBWilliams8
Hey congrats on going to that Cowboys game that one time.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 10:02 am to Womski
Instead of PEMDAS it should be PE(MD)(AS)
Posted on 2/24/16 at 10:02 am to KG6
quote:True, I guess the left/right rule is correct. And now that I think about it, you're supposed to go right/left for exponents. Math is fun
but it doesn't always work out. for example
3x8/2x4=
(3x8)/(2x4)= 3
3x(8/2)x4= 48

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