Math Forums @ Math Goodies

testing header

Math Goodies is a free math help portal for students, teachers, and parents.

| More

Interactive Math Goodies Software

Math Forums @ Math Goodies

All Forums

Homework Help Forums

Basic Math and Pre-Algebra

Simplify this expression

Note: You must be registered in order to post a reply.
To register, click here. Registration is FREE!

Screensize:

UserName:

Password:

Format Mode:

Format:

Message:

* HTML is OFF
* Forum Code is ON

Math Symbols

Check here to subscribe to this topic.

T O P I C R E V I E W
Admin	Posted - 06/19/2012 : 21:45:18 What result do you get? I get 13, but my son insists it is 4. 16-6x22(5-3) Thanks, Gisele
8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Admin	Posted - 06/27/2012 : 11:38:58 Thanks everyone for your input! Gisele
royhaas	Posted - 06/27/2012 : 11:32:08 If you faithfully follow the PEMDAS precedence rules, then the answer on almost any calculator is 4, 16-62/2(5-3)=16-62/22=16-62/22=16-(62/22)=16-12=4. Multiplication and division have the same precedence, so the (re-)grouping is allowed. It seems that this is a common problem when both multiplication and division are concerned. That's why I trust my calculator more than my hand arithmetic.
the_hill1962	Posted - 06/26/2012 : 15:54:23 I agree that the answer is 4. This is the reason why I have never liked the "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" (or PEMDAS) acronym. They do come to me knowing the acronym PEMDAS though so I suppose it served its purpose (having them remember the order). I tell them since multiplication and division are at the same level, so that PEMDAS is misleading if you forget that detail. This topic provides an example. I write on the board PEmdAS. I hook together the md and the AS (sort like they do in company logos hooking together letters).
Ultraglide	Posted - 06/25/2012 : 17:02:22 If you want to answer to come out to 13, just put parentheses around the 2(2) i.e. [2(2)].
Admin	Posted - 06/25/2012 : 15:53:14 quote: Originally posted by Ultraglide Looking at part of the question, i.e. 6x22(2), this is the same as 6x22x2. Now if we follow the order of operations - multiplication and division in order from left to right this gives 12. So the final answer is 4. Thank you for your input, UltraGlide. I guess if us math folk can't agree on the solution, then this is not a good problem to hard code into a Flash game. I will post it on Facebook, though. Gisele
Ultraglide	Posted - 06/25/2012 : 12:40:35 Looking at part of the question, i.e. 6x22(2), this is the same as 6x22x2. Now if we follow the order of operations - multiplication and division in order from left to right this gives 12. So the final answer is 4.
Admin	Posted - 06/20/2012 : 10:17:05 quote: Originally posted by royhaas 16-622(5-3)=16-622(2)=16-624=16-124=16-3=13. Thanks Roy. My thoughts exactly. This question will be included in an upcoming Flash game.
royhaas	Posted - 06/20/2012 : 09:50:03 16-622(5-3)=16-622(2)=16-624=16-124=16-3=13.