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The Viral Math Equation Explained
Have you seen the math equation that’s been making the rounds on social media? It’s a simple-looking equation, but it’s causing a lot of confusion because people are getting different answers. The equation is:
6 ÷ 2(1 + 2) = ?
Some people are getting 1 as the answer, while others are getting 9. So, what’s the right answer? And why is there so much debate?
Understanding the Order of Operations
The key to solving this equation lies in understanding the order of operations. The order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS or BODMAS, tells us the order in which we should perform operations in a mathematical expression:
- Parentheses (or Brackets)
- Exponents (or Orders)
- Multiplication and Division (done from left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (done from left to right)
Solving the Equation
Let’s break down the equation step by step, following the order of operations:
- Parentheses: First, we solve the expression inside the parentheses: 1 + 2 = 3.
- Multiplication/Division: Next, we perform the multiplication or division, working from left to right. In this case, we have 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
- Multiplication: Finally, we multiply 3 by the result from the parentheses, 3 * 3 = 9.
Therefore, the correct answer to the equation 6 ÷ 2(1 + 2) is 9.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion arises from the ambiguity of the expression. Some people interpret the equation as:
6 ÷ [2 * (1 + 2)]
In this interpretation, the multiplication by 2 is done before the division, leading to the answer 1. However, this interpretation is not in line with the standard order of operations.
The Importance of Clarity
This viral equation highlights the importance of writing mathematical expressions clearly. To avoid ambiguity, it’s best to use parentheses to explicitly indicate the order of operations. For example, instead of writing 6 ÷ 2(1 + 2), we could write (6 ÷ 2)(1 + 2) or 6 ÷ [2(1 + 2)] to make the intended order of operations clear.
Conclusion
The viral math equation is a reminder that even simple-looking expressions can be misinterpreted. It’s crucial to understand the order of operations and to write mathematical expressions clearly to avoid confusion. Remember PEMDAS or BODMAS, and you’ll be able to solve any equation confidently.