48÷2(9+3)=?

[imported_hybrdthry91]

@Vovchandr

Distributive property of multiplication over addition. Early Algebra problem.

The distributive property of multiplication CLEARLY states that the 2(9+3) is an entire statement and CANNOT be broken up. 2(9+3) follows the distributive property which can be rewritten as (29+23). Let me repeat the 2 outside of the parenthesis follows the distributive property of multiplication and must be factored and simplified before performing any other operations on it. You do NOT compute this expression from left to right until you use Algebra to simplify the statement 2(9+3).

So this can be rewritten as:
48 / (29 + 23)

Which leaves us with

48 / 24 = 2

Answer = 2.

Lastly for those using Google or any other online calculator. These do not understand many theorems or properties so you must explicitly explain what you mean. There is a difference between 48 / 2 * (9+3) and 48 / 2(9+3). The first notation reads 48 / 2 * 1(9+3) while the second reads 48 / (29+23). Be very careful with your signs.

#winning

You win by quoting someone else’s answer on yahoo, and i think i saw it on another forum.

The part in bold isn’t actually a rule. It is just whether you assume implied multiplication comes first or not. There is no rule that states it comes first, and it seems half of calculators do it first, and the other half dont. I have 2 calcs on my phone that give 2 different answers.