Can you solve 8÷2(2+2)

[Wolfhound]

The way I was taught, the answer would be 16. That was a long time ago however. A brontosaurus ate my homework.

 

[Snapdragon]

I taught this stuff for 30 years. It's 16.

Parentheses first, then multiplication and division in the order they occur from left to right. So

[h=2]8÷2(2+2)[/h][h=2]8÷2(4)[/h][h=2]4(4)[/h][h=2]16[/h]

 

[Snapdragon]

The issue is weather we treat 2 * X the same as 2 * (X). There is no strict rule, unfortunately.

The CORRECT way to write the problem is either:
8÷2 * (2+2)
or
8 / (2(2+2))

Otherwise, it is open to interpretation, based on how you were taught.

There IS a strict rule, and it is NOT open to interpretation. The order of operations is very specific.

 

[ultra...good]

And now teachers are calling themselves 'Educators'.
If only.

 

[2Lucky]

I mentored 2-4 graders in a after school program in the projects. One of the things we did was help with homework. You would be amazed how complicated math is now with "new" teaching methods.

 

[Dead Duck]

[video=youtube;vaitsBUyiNQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaitsBUyiNQ[/video]

 

[DoggyDaddy]

8÷2(2+2)

8 / 2(4)
8 / 2 * 4
4 * 4
16

PEMDAS
Parens
Exponents
Multiplication/division (left to right)
Addition/Subtraction (left to right)

I suspect the missing multiplication sign between the 2 and the (2+2) throws some folks.

BTW: MS Excel says 8/2*(2+2) = 16

Yeah, my first thought was 1, but I programmed it into a calculator and it does indeed come out to 16.

 

[K_W]

I say it is 1
TI-83 says 16

 

[Injess]

put me down for 16. its already been stated but even addition and subtraction is done left to right...

 

[amboy49]

To me, the question is who gives a sh*t. Not being able to solve for the correct answer will cause me to not advance in life how ? Reduce my total income by how much ? Nice exercise for mathematicians I suppose, but for the rest of us mere mortals, BFD.

 

[2A_Tom]

They said the same thing about a[SUP]2[/SUP] + b[SUP]2[/SUP] = c[SUP]2[/SUP] , 3,4,5,and other things that help us every day.

Just a lowly carpenter.

 

[KittySlayer]

And a solid understanding of geometry helps you hustle a pool table.

 

[Indyhd]

It was 16 when I went to school but who really knows what it is now because of Trump’s tweeting....

Purple...

 

[churchmouse]

Lol, the answer is and always has been 16. This has nothing to do with common core, and is not “new math”. You guys either don’t remember order of operations correctly, of you never really understood it.

They did not teach this when I was in school. Not like this. .........

 

[ChristianPatriot]

They did not teach this when I was in school. Not like this. .........

 

[chezuki]

They did not teach this when I was in school. Not like this. .........

There’s no way you remember that far back.

 

[Alpo]

The oversimplification of arithmetic operations leads to error. There is no need to shortcut descriptions that are otherwise universally understood. That is how we introduce variability that can otherwise be avoided.

I would suggest that the person who designed this question would serve humanity better as a golf caddy. They only need to deal with addition.

 

[Bigtanker]

Coming from the guy who took 2 years of Freshman algebra.....

 

[KittySlayer]

I would suggest that the person who designed this question would serve humanity better as a golf caddy. They only need to deal with addition.

Depends on who you caddy for and the tip. Sometimes subtraction is involved.

 

[Hoosier Carry]

It works out to 1 for me.