• Hex [he/him]@hexbear.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    7 hours ago

    I’m not trying to start an argument over this, but I respectfully disagree.

    6 / 2 * (1 + 2)

    6 / 2 * 3

    3 * 3

    9 edit: accidentally said 6 here

    Parentheses first, then division and multiplication granting priority to operations on the left.

    • The_sleepy_woke_dialectic [he/him]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      5 hours ago

      If it’s 2(1 + 2) that’s considered one “term” and heavily implies that you should FOIL first before anything else. It isn’t the same as 2 * (2 + 1). Of course you wouldn’t likely get an equation like that without knowing “what” you’re doing, which would answer any ambiguity.

    • Imnecomrade [none/use name]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      7 hours ago

      Assuming the first way is written correctly, the equation is actually 6 / (2 * (1 + 2)). The (1 + 2) is still inside the denominator. So it is solved as follows:

      6 / (2 * (1 + 2))

      6 / (2 * 3)

      6 / 6

      1

      The second equation incorrectly takes out the (1 + 2) and places it as the numerator on the side. In order to take that piece out correctly, it would have to be: (6 / 2) * (1 / (1 + 2))

      And to solve it, it would look like as follows:

      (6 / 2) * (1 / (1 + 2))

      3 * (1 / (1 + 2))

      3 * (1 / 3)

      3 / 3

      1

      Also, 3 * 3 = 9 in regards to second incorrect equation (incorrect meaning the second incorrectly refactored equation from the pic that you answered correctly up until the last operation).

      I think The_sleepy_woke_dialectic forgot to put parentheses around the denominator, but I believe it was meant to be interpreted as the entire denominator as shown in the pic.