WGY Mornings with Doug Goudie

WGY Mornings with Doug Goudie

The Capital Region's show for engaging conversations focused on the most important news stories of the day. Plus financial news, sports, lifestyle,...Full Bio

 

Simple Math Problem Divides the Internet - Can You Solve it?

A math problem is causing all types of confusion on the Internet after going viral.

On Twitter, the math equation "8÷2(2+2)" popped up looking to be solved, and garnering various answers. That's apparently because depending on where in the world you were taught math, you might attempt to solve the problem differently than someone else.

There is the PEMDAS (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally) method leading to the number one or the BODMAS (Bracket of Division Multiplication Additional Subtraction) method leading to an answer of 16.

A spokesperson from the American Mathematical Society says the equation is written ambiguously. The author of the post was getting slammed from all kinds of academic experts over the “poorly written” equation.

Adding to that, one Twitter user says both answers can be correct because "the notation of the equation is incorrect." That’s the consensus.

Over 300,000 people voted in a poll on Twitter, with the majority of people saying the answer is 1. What do you think the answer is?


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