Internet Fight: 8 ÷ 2(2+2)

larrymcg421 · 08-03-2019, 02:41 AM

I've seen lots of arguing about this on Twitter and Facebook. Some people say it's 16. Some people say it's 1. I think the answer is clear. What say you?

Chief Rum · 08-03-2019, 02:49 AM

I put 16 based on the left to right rule for same level calculations but I feel like I heard recently they no longer teach that rule.

Brian Swartz · 08-03-2019, 03:52 AM

The answer is clear if you know your PEMDAS. It's not at all clear if you don't

.

So yeah, 16.

AlexB · 08-03-2019, 03:56 AM

I voted 1, but then changed my mind - 16!

I was always taught do the brackets first, then do the sum. I can see how people get to 1 as I did - there’s a temptation to do the 2x bit first as well as it’s next to the brackets, but I realised that was my mistake.

BishopMVP · 08-03-2019, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexB

I voted 1, but then changed my mind - 16!

I was always taught do the brackets first, then do the sum. I can see how people get to 1 as I did - there’s a temptation to do the 2x bit first as well as it’s next to the brackets, but I realised that was my mistake.

I started 16 then switched to 1 LoL. Maybe it doesn't in real life but I feel like spacing matters here to my brain. Since (I hope) we can all agree the (2+2) happens first...

8 ÷ 2(4) feels like 1
8÷2(4) feels like 16
8÷2 (4) definitely feels like 16

Racer · 08-03-2019, 07:19 AM

I went with one initially.

It seems like 2(2+2) should all be in the denominator based on the lack of an "x" used for a multiplication sign.

However, it's not written as (2(2+2)) so technically the correct answer is 16 I think based on order or operations and the left to right rule but the equation is written in a really awkward way.

NobodyHere · 08-03-2019, 07:27 AM

EagleFan · 08-03-2019, 10:24 AM

EagleFan · 08-03-2019, 10:26 AM

I'll postulate this:

8 / 2x = ?
x=2+2

how do you see that compared to:

8 / 2 * x
x=2+2

weegeebored · 08-03-2019, 11:28 AM

I don't know how they teach math now, but computers process formulas with PEMDAS using the left-to-right rule with multiplication/division being on the same level, and addition/subtraction being on the same level. So, rewritten it's 8/2*(2+2). Parens first, so that's 4. Division next because it's the leftmost, so that's also 4. And unless math has changed, 4 X 4 is 16.

Put the formula into Excel and see what you get. If you don't understand that the answer is 16 then do you trust your bank or investment firm?

MizzouRah · 08-03-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

The answer is clear if you know your PEMDAS. It's not at all clear if you don't

.

So yeah, 16.

Yep.. P first then M/D from left to right.

stevew · 08-03-2019, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Seriously

molson · 08-03-2019, 04:07 PM

It seems weird that a math result would depend on going left to right. Shouldn't math transcend things like physical page placement?

Note, I don't understand math.

Brian Swartz · 08-03-2019, 05:27 PM

I understand why it seems weird, but consider this:

8 x 4 x 2.

I think it's because of situations like this that there needs to be some kind of rule, the fact that it's possible to arrange terms such that there is no transcending distinction.

QuikSand · 08-03-2019, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

not-this-shit-again.jpg

+16

EagleFan · 08-03-2019, 09:55 PM

Solve for x:

8 / 2x = 16

Then solve for x:

8 / 2x = 1

It's all perspective.

MIJB#19 · 08-04-2019, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

+16

MIJB#19 · 08-04-2019, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexB

I voted 1, but then changed my mind - 16!

I was always taught do the brackets first, then do the sum. I can see how people get to 1 as I did - there’s a temptation to do the 2x bit first as well as it’s next to the brackets, but I realised that was my mistake.

Same here. I would never write it down like that, 8:2x(2+2) or 8/2•(2+2) is less confusing to me, in particular that ÷ thingy.

ColtCrazy · 08-04-2019, 09:18 PM

PEMDAS makes it 16. Order is always left to right, with multiplication and division done in the same left to right sweep. 2+2 is first (P) then the 8 divided by 2 followed by the times 4.

View Poll Results: 8÷2(2+2)=?
1	18	40.91%
16	26	59.09%
Something else	0	0%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

08-03-2019, 02:49 AM	#2
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	I put 16 based on the left to right rule for same level calculations but I feel like I heard recently they no longer teach that rule. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

08-03-2019, 03:56 AM	#4
AlexB Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newbury, England	I voted 1, but then changed my mind - 16! I was always taught do the brackets first, then do the sum. I can see how people get to 1 as I did - there’s a temptation to do the 2x bit first as well as it’s next to the brackets, but I realised that was my mistake. __________________ 'A song is a beautiful lie', Idlewild, Self Healer. When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Sports! Last edited by AlexB : 08-03-2019 at 03:58 AM.

08-03-2019, 07:27 AM	#7
NobodyHere Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2013	__________________ "I am God's prophet, and I need an attorney"

08-03-2019, 10:24 AM	#8
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	2/3 __________________ The EagleFan YouTube Channel - Reactions Soarin' & Scratchin' YouTube Channel - We react to music, videos, TV, we talk, we are planning some field trips Soarin' & Soothin' - Meditation, Relaxation, and Sleep Aid; mental health is important

08-03-2019, 03:52 AM	#3
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	The answer is clear if you know your PEMDAS. It's not at all clear if you don't . So yeah, 16.

08-03-2019, 07:19 AM	#6
Racer College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana	I went with one initially. It seems like 2(2+2) should all be in the denominator based on the lack of an "x" used for a multiplication sign. However, it's not written as (2(2+2)) so technically the correct answer is 16 I think based on order or operations and the left to right rule but the equation is written in a really awkward way.

08-03-2019, 10:26 AM	#9
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	I'll postulate this: 8 / 2x = ? x=2+2 how do you see that compared to: 8 / 2 * x x=2+2 __________________ The EagleFan YouTube Channel - Reactions Soarin' & Scratchin' YouTube Channel - We react to music, videos, TV, we talk, we are planning some field trips Soarin' & Soothin' - Meditation, Relaxation, and Sleep Aid; mental health is important Last edited by EagleFan : 08-03-2019 at 10:28 AM.

08-03-2019, 11:28 AM	#10
weegeebored High School Varsity Join Date: Sep 2006	I don't know how they teach math now, but computers process formulas with PEMDAS using the left-to-right rule with multiplication/division being on the same level, and addition/subtraction being on the same level. So, rewritten it's 8/2*(2+2). Parens first, so that's 4. Division next because it's the leftmost, so that's also 4. And unless math has changed, 4 X 4 is 16. Put the formula into Excel and see what you get. If you don't understand that the answer is 16 then do you trust your bank or investment firm?

08-03-2019, 04:07 PM	#13
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	It seems weird that a math result would depend on going left to right. Shouldn't math transcend things like physical page placement? Note, I don't understand math.

08-03-2019, 05:27 PM	#14
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	I understand why it seems weird, but consider this: 8 x 4 x 2. I think it's because of situations like this that there needs to be some kind of rule, the fact that it's possible to arrange terms such that there is no transcending distinction.

08-03-2019, 09:55 PM	#16
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	Solve for x: 8 / 2x = 16 Then solve for x: 8 / 2x = 1 It's all perspective. __________________ The EagleFan YouTube Channel - Reactions Soarin' & Scratchin' YouTube Channel - We react to music, videos, TV, we talk, we are planning some field trips Soarin' & Soothin' - Meditation, Relaxation, and Sleep Aid; mental health is important

08-04-2019, 09:18 PM	#19
ColtCrazy College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Midwest	PEMDAS makes it 16. Order is always left to right, with multiplication and division done in the same left to right sweep. 2+2 is first (P) then the 8 divided by 2 followed by the times 4. __________________ The Field Generals and Statis Pro Basketball Super League

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