Question

This problem went viral on Facebook and other social media websites.

6 ÷ 2 (1 + 2)

It seems like it might be simple. Just an order of operations problem, right? But some very intelligent, educated people were getting it wrong.

Answer 1

1 IF YOU USE PEMDAS

Answer 2

Basically Order of Importance you always have to start With Division

Answer 3

so 6/2 is 3

Answer 4

3x3 is 9

Answer 5

it's PEMDAS
P=Parenthesis's
E=exponents
etc..

Answer 6

I just realized there are 2 ways and I think I did it wrong ._. it can either be 1 or 9

Answer 7

1 if you distribute 2(1+2) which equals 2+4 which is 6

Answer 8

PEMDAS= Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, subtraction.

Answer 9

so 6/6 is 1

Answer 10

Yeah thought I did it wrong :p

Answer 11

@agent0smith @AkashdeepDeb @kathy0514 @ehuman @skullpatrol

Answer 12

its actually answered here few times,
when you write a(b) it is assumed to be a*b
so, here, its
6 divided 2 multiplied 3
now when such situation comes, we go from left to right.
so,
1 multiplied by 3 =9

Answer 13

***3 multiplied by 3 =9

Answer 14

Classic Hartnn

Answer 15

need to follow BODMAS RULE

Answer 16

@hartnn is your final answer 9

Answer 17

@madrockz what is BODMAS RULE

Answer 18

ofcourse, i even gave the explanation :)

most of the people here will say the notation is ambiguous, but i think we can use the left to right rule to get to the correct answer.
also note that different calculators will give you different answers as they are configured differently.

Answer 19

9 it is very simple!

Answer 20

B-BRACKET
O-OF
D-DIVISION
M-MULTIPLICATION
A-ADDITION
S-SUBTRACTION
these type of problems r solved using dis rule,taken in order.

Answer 21

6 ÷ 2 (1 + 2) = 9

@hartnn is right. The actual division sign instead of a forward slash like / removes some of the ambiguity, where it might otherwise be read as 6/2(1+2) which can be interpreted like this \[\frac{ 6 }{2(1+2) }\]

Answer 22

common misconception is that order of operation always starts with division. You do multiplication and division in order from left to right. Both "weigh" the same. The D before M was just for BODMAS for memory purposes addition and subtraction weigh the same as far as priority as doe multiplication and division. Left to right and you won't go wrong.