48 divided by 2(9+3)= 2
48 divided by 2 x (9+3)= 288.
Just follow the example at purplemath; it’s clear.
Nice example, except it’s given only to show an ambiguity which arises when people don’t follow the standard order of operations. A previous post indicated that the mathematicians and/or engineers at TI do not give implicit multiplication higher precedence.
“Note that different software will process this differently; even different models of Texas Instruments graphing calculators will process this differently. In cases of ambiguity, be very careful of your parentheses, and make your meaning clear.”
The original post in the thread asks why 2 calculators give different results. From Dr. Math on mathforum.org:
“In my research for another Dr. Math “patient,” I found that some calculators have experimented with this rule [implied multiplication]. Calculators have somewhat different needs than mathematicians, since they have to take input linearly, one character after another, so they are forced to make a decision about it. On the TI Web site I learned that they deliberately put this “feature” into the TI 82, and then took it out of the TI 83, probably because they decided it was not a standard rule and would confuse people.”
Summary: implied multiplication is not a standard rule, and the programming of the TI calculators was consequently changed.
Interesting arguments here. Let me settle this. I just did this on my phone and it said the answer is 288. I’m not a math wiz but I know I’m right because my phone is a “smart” phone, at least that is what U S Cellular said when they sold it to me.