Conversely, the equation could be written(8÷2)(2+2). The person who created the problem was ambiguous at best.
“Conversely, the equation could be written(8÷2)(2+2). The person who created the problem was ambiguous at best.”
I agree whole heartedly with the ambiguous part. But to come to 16, you have to drop the fact that the equation as originally written, asks for 2 times 2 plus 2. You simply cannot get around the fact that the equation calls for that. And when written as a fraction, dictates the (2(2+2)).
Also, division, by its very name implies there is division between the two. Any way you look at it, to get to 16 you have to manipulate what the question was originally asking. Not to mention the implied parenthesis (2(2+2)).
I think this is great fun, but I will go to my grave as the answer is 1.