auscyclefan94 said:
Just to let you know gary, just because they have put the 2 right next to the brackets does not mean they are inside them. I still think it is 9 but I think I will check with some other people who I know who are better than me.
2x(1+2) = 2(1+2)
Is 1x the same as 'x'?
The point is, if you express 2 x (1+2) instead of 2(1+2) then there is no difference.
But once you start adding further functions, then it does make a difference, because if you say 6/2 X (1+2) then it is clear that 2 and (1+2) are two separate expressions (therefore 6/2x3=9), but if you don't use the multiplier then it is unclear whether 2 and (1+2) are meant to be one or two expressions. 2(1+2) reads as one expression, and as an expression with brackets, should be worked out before anything else. Which then gives 2(3)=6, then 6/6 = 1.
As krebs points out - the mixing of algebraic and arithmetic notation is what creates this problem, as if you read it algebraically your answer will be 1, and if you read it arithmetically your answer will be 9. Both answers are wholly valid unless the expression is clarified - and this is why both google and excel have to autocorrect in order to provide an answer to the ambiguous statement. Both correct it arithmetically, which would be in line with the majority on this poll.
As Mambo says, a true mathematician wouldn't use the division sign here, especially not in algebra. If they DID, they would use additional brackets to clear up the ambiguity, because if there's one thing mathematics is not supposed to be, it's ambiguous.
If the answer were to be 9 I would write it as:
6
_ (1+2)
2
If the answer were to be 1 (as is my first instinct) I would write it as:
6
_____
2(1+2)