Quote:
Originally Posted by dad911
Scott,
The three sites you refer to all state (red print above) that absent of other instruction, as the original problem was presented, equations should be evaluated CONVENTIONALLY. Using these sites as a reference, thank you for clarifying that the correct solution of 48÷2(9+3) = 288
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dad911,
You missed the point. What is "conventional" to you may not be "conventional" to others. In other words, conventions are not absolute nor are they universal. If they were, there equation would not be generating the debate that it has. This is exactly why the equation in question is termed "ambiguous". Conventions are not founded in mathematics fundamentals. They are the rules chosen to allow equations and expressions to be more universal and less likely to be misinterpreted. That doesn't mean they are universal and there can be no misinterpretation.
The author of this equation chose it because he knew that some people adhere to the convention that multiplication by juxtaposition takes precedence over division and explicit multiplication. You and Bill can argue all day that is a bogus convention. But the fact is that many people adhere to that convention.
Bill and others say those people that say the equation is "ambiguous" are wrong too. Well, that is an interesting opinion (that's all it is) but factually impossible to support since the mathematics community (i.e. not just the mathematics duffers) argue over the equation vehemently as well.
So, mathematicians are not surprised by the fact that people come up with two different answers. It is the job of the equation writer to make sure the equation is clear if their intent is not. They didn't do that (on purpose).
Scott