A brain teaser, What is the answer to this problem? 48 / 2(9 + 3) =?

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2 Answers

Maurice Korvo Profile
Maurice Korvo answered

You must remember PEMDAS

Powers.. There are none

Exponents... (9+3)  = 12

Multiply  2x12=24

Divide  48/24 = 2

Add

Subtract

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HelpStop AnimalAbuse
HelpStop AnimalAbuse commented
It depends. Usually, math has one right answer, but in this case, the order of operations can get a little quirky.

There are two ways to solve this. First, like so:
48 / 2 × (9 + 3) = ?
48 / 2 × (12) = ?
24 × 12 = 288

But another, arguably valid way is:
48 / 2 × (9 + 3) = ?
48 / 2 × (12) = ?
48 / 24 = 2
Maurice Korvo
Maurice Korvo commented
Not the way you originally wrote the question.. 48 / 2(9 + 3) =? when written this way, it is 2 times whatever is in the brackets.

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