6 / 2(1+2) = 7

[mibn2cweus]

While the world argues over whether the correct answer is 1 or 9 . . . I get 7 as the answer.

So what's the problem with everyone else?

[mibn2cweus]

So Jimmy got it wrong as well. It should have been if a 1 turned out to be 9

[mibn2cweus]

^ Jimi ^

[Buenchico]

http://oi64.tinypic.com/2r2wyhh.jpg

[Jackdaw33]

Sorted, Chico. 52 years since I did O Level maths but nice to know I remember a few things.

[tonyav]

Chris you forgot to put the immortal line 'See me after class' ;-)

[Buenchico]

I saved that one for the attractive 6th form girls, Tony ;-)

[tonyav]

LOL, good man Chris.

[Jackdaw33]

I cannot replicate the division sign, dot over dot, but Chico has explained it perfectly.

[Buenchico]

To type ÷ on a desktop PC you need to ensure that the number lock is on (as it usually is by default anyway), then hold down the Alt key and type 0247 on the numeric keypad:
http://usefulshortcuts.com/alt-codes/maths-alt-codes.php

It's harder on a laptop because there's no numeric keypad and you need to use the Fn key as well. I've not got a clue about how to do it on an iPad or Android device!

[jim360]

Just out of interest, Jackdaw, since you are using "BODMAS", why are you doing the multiplication first?

[Jackdaw33]

÷

I have a laptop with a number pad.
Alt + 0247 doesn't post directly but shows the symbol in a Google address bar, from which I can copy and paste.

[Jackdaw33]

I'm not, I'm doing brackets first.

[Buenchico]

Now you can have fun with things like ♫ , ♥ and ☺ then ;-)

http://www.tedmontgomery.com/tutorial/altchrc.html

[jim360]

Yes, but then doing brackets first means doing what is inside the bracket to reduce it to a single term. Hence 6/2(1+2) becomes 6/2*3. Then literal BODMAS implies division first, ie do 6/2 = 3. Then 3*3 =9. Which is the actual answer (as, for example, copying and pasting the answer into any mathematics program would confirm).

In fact BODMAS is better written as BO (D/M) (A/S), so that division and multiplication are treated as equivalent, in which case you read the expression from left-to-right when simplifying. Still ends up with 9, though.

[Jackdaw33]

Jim, read Chico's post @ 21:52. It explains it succinctly. You a physicist?

[jim360]

Yes, I read it. It's also wrong.

I'm sorry but there is is difference between 6/2(1+2) and 6/(2(1+2)). The extra brackets are vital. As a physicist (as you indeed correctly point out) I have to care about this all the time. So yes, I am well aware of BODMAS and I am well aware of how the / operator in a single line works, and what happens if you interpret it as you and Buenchico do -- which leads, every time, to wrong answers.

Buenchico's post is wrong. Your support of him is wrong. The answer of "1" is wrong. The correct answer is 9.

[Jackdaw33]

The / was not around in my day. We would read it as 6 over 2(1+2) = 1.

[Peter Pedant]

should be one
apply BODMAS

apparently according to u tube
this is viral and taking the world by storm


quiet world tonight is all I can say

[Peter Pedant]

// The / was not around in my day. We would read it as 6 over 2(1+2) = 1.//

o we had "yupon" - as in dee-Y yupon dee- X

someone had to take me aside and say it "upon" with a northern accent

[Buenchico]

>>> The extra brackets are vital

I would agree that they're desirable but they're most definitely not 'vital'. I stand by my answer.

However if any student of mine wrote 6/2(1+2), rather than
      6
----------
2 x (1+2)

I'd put a red line through it anyway because the whole point of mathematics is that it's a system of communication of methodology and there should be no room for anything where there is some doubt as to exactly what it is that's being communicated.