48/2(9+3) -- The answer is 2

Hello, readers. This is a simple mathematical problem.

48/2(9+3)
I would be arguing that the answer to this problem is 2.

I know, some of you are thinking "How the hell am I supposed to argue that the answer is not 2? There can be only one right answer to this mathematical problem!"

However, if you try to solve this problem, I can bet that at least one of you readers will get a different answer from 2. If you do, I would be more than happy to debate with you.

I urge the voters to vote for the arguments that made the most sense, NOT the arguments that answered the question right.

I thank my future opponent, voters and the viewers for making this happen.
Best of luck to my opponent, and if you didn't notice by now, first round will be for ACCEPTANCE ONLY.

I happily accept! I do not think that 48/2(9+3) = 2 but rather it equals 288. Be warned I learned how to divide by zero.
On the side not of dividing by zero here is my proof:
12/4 = 3 or 4 * 3 or 4 + 4 + 4, going on that same logic C/0, where C can by any number, it would go 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0... or in other words 0*infinite and anything times 0 is 0 so therefore C/0 = 0. And cue world ending.

I thank my opponent for the very intelligent response.

OK, this is what I got.

According to the distributive law of math, a(b+c) = ab+ac.

So, in this case, 48/2(9+3)
= 48/2*9+2*3
= 48/18+6
= 48/24
= 2

I apologize if my opponent feels that this was a "planned" debate and my answer was already prepared. It is not. Anyway, Con, you seem like a pretty intelligent person, I hope for some interesting arguments.

I thank my opponent for a quick response and the compliments, and I shall respond with the order of operation.
http://www.purplemath.com... for all the rules of it.

Because there was no parenthesis around the 2(9+3), it can not be assumed that it is 48/(2(9+3)) but it must be (48/2)*(9+3).

24*12 = 288.

I also wish to point out that if you type this equation exactly in a calculator it shall return 288.

I do agree that there is um lets say "different ways to skin a cat." But one cannot just use the distributive law when ever but you must follow the rules of operations which would go as follow.

48/2(9+3)
48/2*12
You must go left to right when there are a Multiply and a Divide.
24*12
=288.

The distributive law was mainly intended for variable math such as 3X(4+11X) = 12X + 33X^2.

For these reasons I ask you to vote for Con because clearly 48/2(9+3) != 2. (!= means does not equal fyi)

I thank my opponent for a very quick response, guess I didn't need full 72 hours after all!

My opponent stated that the order of operation in my equation is used wrongly.

However, in my opinion, I don't see any problems presented.

In the mathematical equation : 48/2(9+3) = 2 , the slash ( / ) sign is used to make a fraction, so, 48 would be the numerator, and 2(9+3) would be the denominator. In a fraction, a numerator and a denominator are treated separately, until the fraction becomes divisible.

For example, if you had a fraction 2+4/3+6, you cannot make this fraction into a decimal unless the values are added, in that case, it will create a fraction 6/9, which equals 0.666...

Therefore, in this particular situation, the denominator part of a fraction is calculated first, and then the value of the fraction is calculated.

Also, my opponent has stated that the distributive law is mainly intended for variable math. Which is true. However, even though it is used in a non-variable math, it still doesn't change the answer.
For example, 1(2+3)

If calculated normally,
1(2+3)
=1(5)
=5

If calculated using the distributive law,
1(2+3)
=1*2+1*3
=2+3
=5

In conclusion, I find my opponent's rebuttals to be false, and I urge the viewers to vote for Pro.
I also thank my opponent for this interesting and very fine debate.

Well, wasn't this debate just quick? Anyways, there are no parentheses around the 2(9+3) so therefore you must assume that is is done by 48(divide)2(times)(9(plus)3) which you must use order of operation to solve for this equation and the answer is 288 and not 2. If the problem looked like this: 48/(2(9+3) then it would equal 2, but unfortunately it is not. Besides if you plug it in directly like that in any calculator then it would come out as 288. So vote for Con. And remember kids, stay in school! :D