# math problem

Discussion in 'Off-Topic' started by Komibii, Aug 2, 2019.

1. ### KomibiiProfessional Coochie ObtainerElite Member

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8÷2(2+2)

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16

3. ### Rydalis DarxWell-Known Member

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It's 16 using left-to-right convention.
People say 1 because 2(4) looks like a Parenthesis operation even though it is a multiplication operation, or they don't assume multiplication and division to be done in any order based on what comes first.

4. ### -Kazuki-Well-Known Member

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Feel free to cmiiw.

÷ is not the same as :
Basically, ÷ was used in the old days. And how it works is pretty similar to :, which is the symbol that we use in the present days, but it's a little different.

How ÷ works is like this:
Example:
6÷(1+2)x2
6÷3x2
6÷6
=1
So in conclusion, how ÷ works is you take all the numbers on the left and do the math first and then do the math on the right and then divide the numbers on the left with the numbers on the right.
Whereas for : :
6: (1+2)x2
6:3x2
2x2
=4
You do it according to the order of operation. You do the ones in the brackets first, do the division and multiplication, then do the rest from the left to right.

That's why you don't see the symbol ÷ a lot in these day's math questions.

And to answer your question, if it uses the symbol ÷ the answer is 1, but if it uses the symbol : the answer is 16.

Source:
(I don't know if this is a legit source, it has quite a lot of dislikes too so it's probably just a parody video or something, idk)

Last edited: Aug 2, 2019
5. ### Rydalis DarxWell-Known Member

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The historical usage is what some other cultures use and many of them still use ÷ as their normal division sign. But after the enlightenment of mathematics with the Arabic, it was shown that that use of mathematics often caused confusion and scraped it for something more intuitive. This is also why the number 0 was invented. He is correct entirely, he did say in the video that the actual correct answer is 9 for that equation according to the modern use. Just that he also said that the answer of 1 was correct a long time ago. This also applies here too, the correct modern answer is 16, the correct archaic answer is 1.

The ratio sign ( : ) and division sign ( ÷ ) are similar, the only difference is that ratios are not meant to be simplified to a number while division does.
The way the ratio sign is supposed to work in a math problem involving ratios is that the 6:3 would just convert to a 12:3.

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8÷2*(2+2)
=16
PEMDAS?

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Can't you just rewrite it like this:
Code:
$8 \cdot \frac{1}{2} \cdot (2 + 2) ~ = ~ 4 \cdot (2+ 2) ~ = ~ 16$
EDIT: Ughh no support for latex

Last edited: Aug 3, 2019

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