I learned the order of operations to be PEMDAS:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction

So going by this, the equation would be
6/2*(1+2)
6/2*3
6/6
1

Although I guess that it all sums up to the way you learned it yourself, whether Multiplication or Division goes first. Interesting question.

I think we all know that the correct answer is actually the number 2... Yes, 2.

Well, it's the answer for me at least considering I just ate a huge heaping pile of enchiladas. Now if you all will excuse me............

This actually got 25 pages, do people even study at school? oh wait...

Brackets/Parentheses

Exponents/Powers

Division/Multiplication(Left to Right)

Addition

Subtraction

lol...

I entered it into Darkbasic Pro as: 6/2*(1+2) and got 9

6/2=3

then 3 times (1+2)=9

Ah, the famous ÷ operator and 2 function.

As we all know p ÷ q is a binary operator which is equal to the log of q base p, and the function 2(x) is simply the factorial of x. Therefore

6 ÷ 2(1 + 2) = 6 ÷ 2(3) = 6 ÷ 6 = log_6(6) = 1.

Originally posted by Tadeusz
Ah, the famous ÷ operator and 2 function.

As we all know p ÷ q is a binary operator which is equal to the log of q base p, and the function 2(x) is simply the factorial of x. Therefore

6 ÷ 2(1 + 2) = 6 ÷ 2(3) = 6 ÷ 6 = log_6(6) = 1.

BULL HOCKEY!!

Learn the rules of math and get the same answer as everyone else that knows the order of operations.

9


Or just make up your own crap and be wrong!!

I believe i responded once already in this thread but how i learned the brackets where as follows... what ever is outside is multiplied in the what ever the sign inside is applied like this

6/2 *1 = 6/2
6/2 * 2 = 12/2

12/2 + 6/2 = 18/2
18/2 = 9

I think this is because if you write out this actual equation it say 6/2(1/1 +2/1)=y because they are whole numbers you might as well type 3(1+2)=3+6=9

Had the equation used x instead 1 and already told us the y=9 (which is what we propose as the answer) then

6/2(1/x+2/x)=9
6*1/2*x + 6*2/2*x = 9
6/2x + 12/2x = 9 (since they are fraction of the same i.e 2x you can just add together the whole numbers ) 18/2x=9 (this is the same as 18/2 * 1/x which makes)
9/x=9 and finally to get to x we divide both sides with 9 i.e
9/X = 9 i.e x=1 which proves the above

Had we done this with 1 the result would have been 9/x=1 (we already knew x=1 from the original equation) so this would not add upp as we would be trying to say that x=1/9 or in this case where we knew x that 9=1 which it clearly is not.
....
i think but I was never any good at math... as all my edits will testify too

We sure do have a winner...

Hi all. I researched this topic well for about 2 weeks now and have come to the following conclusions. I will summarize what I have said in other forums with respect to the notations, then I will address other points.

First,
if you want to say 0.5x, then you HAVE to write (1/2)x with parentheses or, x "all over 2" with a horiztonal fraction bar, or write x/2. I have never seen (1/2)x before I researched this equation, but since searching online, I HAVE seen fractional coefficients written this way, only because computers are limited to the horizontal typing space. Therefore:

x/2 = (1/2)x = 0.5x
1/2n = 1/(2n) This sort of notation is used especially with pi, ln, or e. We have never had to say 1/(2pi). It was simply 1/2pi, or 1/2e^2.

I have always used ab/cd to mean (ab)/(cd) and I topped almost all of my calculus classes since high school through university.(moot point, I know)

Just to re-iterate, to use 6/2 as a fraction, parentheses are REQUIRED. Every book will tell you this.

Now consider the Identity Law:
a = 1a = 1(a)
We know there is ALWAYS an 'invisible' 1 as a ceofficient of a variable if no other number is there. Therefore:
a/a = 1, and if a is also 1a, then a/1a = 1. Blindly using 'pemdas', some folks would do this:
a/1a = a/1*a = a*a = a^2. I hope this drives home the silliness of this calculation.

Now, on to my second point:
consider: factoring, simplifying equations, and the distributive property.
Lets start with the number 6.
6 = (4+2). There is a common factor here: 2. So let's factor it out of both terms.
(4+2) = 2(2+1). The outside 2 remains a part of of the 2 inner terms at all times. It cannot be used in an operation by itself without the rest of (4+2).
The reverse of factoring is distribution, so, 2(2+1) = 6. This has to be true always. The argument I have seen to this is that (6/2) can be distributed.
This is true ONLY is 6/2 is in parentheses, otherwise, the 6 and 2 are separated by a division slash, and the 2 is a factor of 2+1.

So, let's prove the initial equation:
6 ÷ 6 = 1
6 ÷ (4+2) = 1
6 ÷ 2(2+1) = 1

the same can be done for other factors:
6 ÷ 6 = 1
6 ÷ (3+3) = 1
6 ÷ 3(1+1) = 1

Distribution is actually a part of "Simplifying Equations" and is not bound to the order of operations as "multiplication", since it is in fact "removing parentheses by distributing". This can be googled and several references found.
Simplifying 2(2+1) + 3(2+1) = 5(2+1). We "combined like terms" here, by adding, and did not perform the "parntheses" part of order of operations, nor did we multiply, which is also higher priority than adding, because we only simplified.

Lastly, I hear the argument that "This is strictly numbers and you don't use algebra rules since there are no variables". That is the most asinine arguement I have heard yet. All axioms, laws, and properties use variables, meaning that they hold true for "any number", hence the proofs with variables.

I welcome thoughts on this, in an intellectually formed response. I am tired of the 'flaming' that goes on by imbciles on some other forums with rebuttals like "it is 9. go back to grade 3 you moron", or "google says it is 9", when google changes the equation to (6/2)*(2+1), and wolfram contradicts itself with 2n/2n = 1, and 6/2n = 3/n, but then says 6/2(2+1) is 9. wolframs "terms" state that any answer should be verified with common sense and accuracy should also be verified.

Think about it though if it was written as it should be when you say it.

: 6
: _________=1
: 2(1+2)

or is it

6
_*(1+2)=9
2

This is why in math a division sign should never be used and doesn't actually exist. it is just a ratio and should always be represented as such. Multiplication and addition exist, subtraction and division do not. Division is simply multiplying by the reciprocal ex: 2/(1/3)=2*3=6. Subtraction is simply adding a negative number ex: 3-2=1=3+(-2)=1. In other words there is actually not enough information here to say that it is either 1 or 9 so at the moment it is both until it is represented in a manner that can describe the actual terms in the equation. So people stop being pompous and unless someone got something other than a 9 or a 1, you are not wrong.

Most simply ...

if the rules of math are strictly followed (the order of operations) the answer is 9.

If you do not follow the order of operations you will get 1 and you will be wrong.

GO MEGA!!

SH