What is the answer to this math problem?

[RainbowFanGirl]

This problem has broken the internet lol. People are getting two completely different answers and the thing is... neither answers are technically wrong. Do the problem and leave your answers below and how you came to that conclusion.

The answer is 1.

The answer is 9.

The answer is none of the above and something else.

[Goforit1010]

In math there is an order of operations. Parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and last subtraction. You take care of what's in the brackets first (1+2)=3.

Then multiplication, 2(3)=6.

Finally, complete the equation, division - 6/6=1

In math there is only 1 right answer, unlike English, where you can get 6 different versions of what "should" be proper noun, verb, adjective, blah, blah, blah... usage of the English language, from 6 different English instructors. Math makes sense. It's logical, and always follows a specified pattern.

[Yumix]

accidentally voted for 1 but it's 9

if you use the / to show the division, it's much easier

6/2(1+2)

you always start with the brackets

6/2(3)

to make it more obvious which step comes next, we should leave the unnecessary brackets out and put the optional multiplication sign in

6 / 2 x 3

if you actually write it as fraction, you can see that it's (6/2) x3 or (6x3)/(2x1) because there is no bracket for the 2x3, so it only takes the 2 on the bottom part

6
___ x 3 = 3x3 = 9
2

[Jxpxtxr]

9
U solve the brackets first, then because you're only left with multiplication and division calculation you move from left to right which only leaves you with 3x (3)=9. So 9 is the only correct answer to this.
Dudes, I honestly suck at maths but this is seriously kindergarten.

[JiminsHoe]

First you solve what is inside the parenthesis so 6 % 2(3)
And then when it comes to division and multiplication there's no rule for one before the other so when there's no rule you have to go left to right.
so 6%2 which is 3..
so 3(3)
which is 9.

[BaileyisDarcy]

Its 9 how the fuck are people getting 1?

6/2 is 3.
Then you answer the sum in the brackets, also 3.
The lack of symbol between equations suggest multiplication, so 3 X 3 = 9
This isn't rocket sciencs.

[BaileyisDarcy]

Although apparently it IS rocket science to SPELL rocket science. Fuck touch screens.

[BaileyisDarcy]

And if anyone is wondering, no calculator used, and this is how i was taught to math.
Though unlike some people here saying to go back to third grade i didn't learn this kind of math until ninth. I still dont know my times tables XD.

[Relentless_Hippie]

The correct answer is 9. You do multiplication/division and addition/subtraction from left to right.

The division comes before the multiplication which leave you with 3(3) which equals 9.

[WalterRadio]

"neither answers are technically wrong"
That is incorrect. Math has a specific order of operations that will always result in an unambiguous answer.

(Not to say there cannot be multiple solutions, but that whatever the solution set is, it is not ambiguous).

[The_flying_Frenchman]

Pemdas

Parentheses first, 2+1=3

No exponents

Multiplication next, 2x3=6

Division lastly, 6/6=1

Any number divided by itself equals 1, so if you accurately follow the order of operations your answer should be 1.

And this is from a guy who failed highschool algebra thrice😂 Oh Internet how dumb you are.

[FinnishViking]

"failed highschool algebra thrice" well, no offence, but this may be the reason. :)

[Jxpxtxr]

Well, you got it wrong so there's why you've failed thrice...

[The_flying_Frenchman]

@FinnishViking I did fail three times. But I also passed it before graduation, and the basic order of operations is something I never had trouble with, wich you obviously do. So continue to be wrong I don't care enough to sit here and argue with you.

[Jxpxtxr]

I'm just gonna leave this here...
www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[Chico_brah]

https://i.imgur.com/omXiDej.jpg

[RJGraveyTrain]

Oh chico you so smart.

[Chico_brah]

@RJGraveyTrain Thanks bro.

[RJGraveyTrain]

Don't mention it bruv.

[Octavius]

What am I looking at...

[RJGraveyTrain]

@Octavius A hella bromance and some math magic that outdos the sex lives of most G@G members.

[Puppylove94]

Lmfaooo that was good

[Anonymous]

The answer is 9, but there's a reason you never use that division sign in complicated formulas, it's super ambiguous.

Things inside the brackets happen first.
Then exponents
Then multiplication and division, left to right
Then addition and subtraction, left to right

So we have 6 divided by 2 times 3, after solving INSIDE the brackets.

The 2 times three is not inside brackets, its simply an implied multiplication, so we go left to right.
6 divided by 2 is 3, 3 X 3 = 9.

[Opinion Owner]

I believe my answer is claimed to be right, but I hate both. If we instead had the formula:
6 ÷ 2y

We would never give the answer as 3y. We would interpret it without question as
6 ÷ (2y)

So in that case the implied multiplication from being adjacent CLEARLY exists, while by contrast in
6 ÷ 3y² (hopefully that exponent 2 works in browser, if not, the 2 is an exponent!)
the exponent is understood to apply only to the y, not to the 3 (which I changed to 3 to avoid confusion), even though normally brackets before exponent. I guess we might say that
3y²
is understood as
(3(y²)

So back in the original question, I think there is actually a good argument that
2(1+2) implies
(2 x (1 +2))

So my real answer is ambiguous.

[Opinion Owner]

Should say:

is understood as
(3(y²))

where I missed a closing bracket.

[but_Why]

don't you consider implied multiplication as brackets?

[Opinion Owner]

@but_Why Strictly speaking I would say brackets means 'do INSIDE' the brackets first. As for whether there's an implied bracket around the term at the front of the brackets, I think the answer is maybe yes. But it's murky. If we saw both in one expression, i. e.
5 X 4 ÷ 3(5)
I think the fact that the above uses both a multiplication symbol AND an implied multiplication suggests a difference.

[Cosytoasty]

I got 6 divided by 2 = 3
Then dono what bracket means so I just ignored them plussed 1+2 giving me 3

Therefore I can state with a 95% confidence level that the answer = 6

@desidoll is my maths correct?

[Puppylove94]

You multiply 3 by 3 after that haha

[Puppylove94]

Not add

[desidoll]

@cosytoasty: Answer is 1 because in any Maths operation we must solve the one in the bracket first. So 6/ 2(3)=
6/6=1

[Relentless_Hippie]

@desidoll It's 9

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[Cosytoasty]

Lmaool @ people who took me seriously 😂 Yet didn't notice that I used a confidence interval which is a far more complex idea than the actual question.

[desidoll]

@Cosytoasty: I know right haha! I've noticed it since the previous Maths question 😊😊😊

[RainbowFanGirl]

Damn. Those downvotes. :)

[Cosytoasty]

@RainbowFanGirl my trolling is too subtle for GaG sometimes.

[desidoll]

@Cosytoasty: You are such a good troll 😉

[echoaj]

I literally can't believe how uneducated people are. The answer is 9.

In PEMDAS, MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION have the same precedence, therefore, it goes left to right. Don't believe me? Do it on a calculator and you will get 9.

[FinnishViking]

You are so right, education is so screwed in America if most people can't solve this.

[ThisDudeHere]

The answer is one. Thou shalt get rid of the brackets first.

[capturemyheartnow]

The answer is 1. Solve the bracket issue first. 1+2=3. Then 2x3=6. Then divide 6/6=1. The answer is 1.

[Relentless_Hippie]

The correct answer is 9. You do multiplication/division and addition/subtraction from left to right.

The division comes before the multiplication which leave you with 3(3) which equals 9.

[capturemyheartnow]

@Relentless_Hippie You are wrong. I have used the method BODMAS. B stands for Bracket. When the bracket is opened , 2x3=6. Then only you can divide by 6 and get 1. You dont solve maths by solving left to right. That's wrong.

[Relentless_Hippie]

Of course you solve math left to right.

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[capturemyheartnow]

@Relentless_Hippie Sorry , I don't agree. I was a very good student in maths in my high school days , and i still remember at least the basics. So you go ahead with your method.

[Relentless_Hippie]

If you enter this exactly as it's written into a calculator you're going to get 9.

[capturemyheartnow]

@Relentless_Hippie Both solutions are right. They use different methods for viral and algebra. According to algebra method if two things are stuck together , the implied multiplication has precedence over division. But the professor describes both methods to be right. Watch video----www. youtube. com/watch? v=cBWqYPwMivU

[capturemyheartnow]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBWqYPwMivU

[The_flying_Frenchman]

@Relentless_Hippie that's because a calculator solves it as you enter it, which means its operator error. Type in the entire expression in a Ti 82 and you will get 1

[RainbowFanGirl]

The correct answer is technically nine.

[OlderAndWiser]

I think that the order of operations is not a universal standard, despite what others may claim. That, of course, determines the answer to the question.

[Centurion20000]

9
PE[MD][AS] - Parentheses, Exponents, [Multiplication and Division], and [Addition and Subtraction]
Each level gets solved left to right, then the next level, left to right.
P then E then M&D left to right, then A&S left to right.

[AleDeEurope]

BIDMAS.
B (rackets) first -> 1+2 = 3
Then D (ivision) -> 6/2 = 3
Then M (ultipilication) -> 3x3 = 9

Answer is 9.

[Curlybeauty17]

Using the PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction) rule, the answer is 1.

[Relentless_Hippie]

Mulitiplication/Division and Addition/Subtraction from left to right. You divide before you multiply.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

How did we get this far in society where we can send people to the fucking moon, yet half the fucking population is so stupid they can't correctly answer a god damn 3rd grade math problem?

[WalterRadio]

It is because of liberals.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

@WalterRadio no...

[TheLuckyPizzaDog]

9.

multiplication and division are on the same level so the order in the problem determines which happens first. 6/2 happens first so 3*(3)

[CHARismatic110]

I hate math. HATE. IT. But I was taught PEMDAS in school and following that method, I got 1. PEDMAS gets you 9.

[helloitsmethere]

Order of operation:
PEMDAS
You multiply, then divide, then you add and subtract.
The answer is: 1
Always get rid of the brackets first. (Multiply... basically).

[helloitsmethere]

You can also use: BOMDAS

[but_Why]

you're good 👍

[madhatters4]

seems like a simple PEMDAS situation.
so add the numbers in the parentheses, multiple that by 2 and divide

i get 1

[JSmuve]

The answer is 9. You have to do the division and multiplication in the order it occurs. So
6÷2(1+2) = 6÷2*3 = 3*3 = 9

In order to get 1, it would need to be written as
6÷[2*(1+2)]

[conkrete721]

JSmuve knows what's up

[sailorjupiter]

we always solve the one in a bracket first, then multiply it with the number with the bracket, then solve it like common math.

so the answer is 1

[Relentless_Hippie]

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[sailorjupiter]

@Relentless_Hippie it's like algebra. based on the website you share here, you can see the first one called "Parentheses". Do things in Parentheses First is same as "solve the one in a bracket first"

so the answer is 1.

[sailorjupiter]

6 / 2*(1+2)

1. solve the "Parentheses"
= 6/ 2*(3)

2. still... solve the "Parentheses"
= 6/ 2*3
= 6/ 6

3. solve it left to the right
=6/6
=1

[FakeName123]

Multiplication has no precedence over division. Thus you calculate from left to right.

6 / 2 x (1+2)
= 6 / 2 x 3
= 3 x 3
= 9

The 2(1+2) just means two times (1+2) - thus it is simple multiplication. And thus you calculate left-right and in this example divide before you multiply.

[alice55]

I think it's 6.
before we do (1+2) = 3
then 6 / 2 = 3
3+3=6

Why do people ask so many math question nowadays ><

[JohnDoe3000]

Brackets go before any other operation, the order of multiplication and division doesn't matter. The answer is 1.

[DizzyDesii]

1+2=3
3 times 2 Is 6
6 divided by 6 is 1.
Not sure if i used pemdas but oh well

[Relentless_Hippie]

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[JuicyBrain]

Obviously 9.
Not 1, or 6
Don't forget your operator precedence people.

[Skadouchebag]

You do parenthesese first. then you immediately do anything that supposed to be multiplied *by* the parenthesese. then you do the rest. the answer is one.

[Anonymous]

order of operations defines that division and multiplication are done from left to right, so the answer to this would be 6 divided by 2 multiplied by 3 which is 9.

[Opinion Owner]

this thing has served me well for many years, it is rarely wrong

https://i.imgur.com/OKX49Aa.jpg

[justAGuy278]

order of operations. parentheses first, then left to right. answer is 9

[but_Why]

1. summation 2. multiplication 3. division
answer is 1

[JulieXO]

It's 9. The inside of the brackets is done first, but then the order is left to right.

[fauchelevent]

BIDMAS, right?

Brackets first - 6/2 (3)
Then division - 3 (3)
Then multiplication - 3 x 3 = 9.

[Luci92]

I'm shit at maths, but I got 9.
I used BODMAS, and the B stands for brackets which always go first.

[Luci92]

Cringing at the fact that over half got it wrong.

[Yanoa_Yanza]

I got a little shocked with the results. I still think that it's 9, but holy fuck it's like half-half votes, is it really 9?

[Puppylove94]

9 is correct and 1 is wrong. I really don't understand why people don't get it right. It's basic math.

[Cosytoasty]

It's because people forget to use left to right when the orders are the same priority.

[Blonde401]

9 because you 6 divided by 2 is 3 and then you always times by whatever is in the bracket. So 9?

[ASEXY]

The answer is 1 because 6 is the one being divided here...
__6__
2(1+2)
=
_6_
2(3)
=
_6_
6
=
1

[Relentless_Hippie]

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[GoodLuckCharlie]

Well, two ways to interpret this. Parenthesis first :)
1. 6 / 2(1+2) = 6 / (2x3) = 1
2. 6 / 2 x (1+2) = 6 / 2 x 3 = 9

It's hard to tell, but I chose the first option.

[but_Why]

first answer is right bc implied multiplication is prior to division

[GoodLuckCharlie]

@but_Why Well, that's nice. I chose the first option in the polls.

[jman46241]

The answer is that these silly, pointless math questions need an equation..

[zagor]

9. The people who choose 1 are assuming implied parenthesis that aren't there.

[FinnishViking]

The answer is 9. Multiplying and division have the same priority, so we divide 6 by 2 and the multiply 3 by 3.

[FinnishViking]

This is the one and the only one right solution for this problem. I am shocked at how retarded Western people are.

[The_flying_Frenchman]

Obviously not as retarded as yourself, since you've neglected the order of operation😒 Just because division is written first in an equation doesn't mean you calculate it first

PEMDAS
parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtraction.

Go back to 3rd grade before you embarrass yourself further.

[FinnishViking]

@The_flying_Frenchman OMG, are you serious? When your solve the parenthesis you just throw them away and put the number you got in place of them. So you get 6/2*3.
French people are retarded too, unfortunately.

[The_flying_Frenchman]

Look at how it's written

2(1+2) is a term and 6 is divided by that term what does 2(1*2) equal? 6

So the initial 6 is divided by the equivalent to the second term wich is also 6, leaving you with 1. I'm sorry sir but you're simply mistaken.

And I'm from Kentucky by the way lol, French is just my last name oddly enough.

[FinnishViking]

@The_flying_Frenchman No, it's not how it's done. The brackets don't belong to the number left to them, they are simply opened and after that we calculate other stuff like there were no brackets in the first place. So we get 6/2*3, which is pretty obvious.
OK, let's assume this expression equals to 1. Then how do we change it so that it equals to 9? There is no way to put brackets so that it starts being equal to 9. This limits our arithmetical possibilities by far, and thus it is wrong.
At the same time, if this expression equals to 9, then we can just put extra commas at the end and before 2 and we'll make it be equal to 1. If the author of this expression wanted as to get 1 as answer then he could simply put these extra brackets and make it unambiguous.
I hope it helps...

[The_flying_Frenchman]

Um what? Not sure exactly what you said there but I have a feeling you're making this way harder than it is.

[FinnishViking]

@The_flying_Frenchman The main point of arithmetics is making expressions simple and unambiguous. If we solve this expression the way you and most Americans solved it, then there will be no way to put brackets to make it equal to 9. Thus, your way of solving expressions is ambiguous and limitative.

[The_flying_Frenchman]

Of course there no way to add brackets and make it equal to 9 because you can't just add things that aren't there. that's not how Math works. It's really not hard if you just follow the order of operations.

[FinnishViking]

@The_flying_Frenchman You didn't get my thought...

[colourz]

it's 1

you do the numbers in parentheses first. then multiply it by 2 and finally you divide that number by 6.

[Relentless_Hippie]

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[yotes-of-472]

1 is the answer. The parenthesis operation goes first, which is 3, then do multiply by 2, which is 6. Then you divide that by the 6 at the beginning, making it 1.

[Anonymous]

Generally when you're left with only multiplication and division then you work from left to right. So I went with 9.

[AhGojira]

It's ambiguous and can be interpreted however you want.

[Justin85283]

the answer is 1. Do the math in (1+2) first = 3 then multiply it by 2 = 6 then divide by 6 = 1

[Relentless_Hippie]

The correct answer is 9. You do multiplication/division and addition/subtraction from left to right.

The division comes before the multiplication which leave you with 3(3) which equals 9.

[Justin85283]

@Relentless_Hippie you do all functions in ( ) first before you do M D A S

[Relentless_Hippie]

6/2(1+2)
Parenthesis: (1+2)=(3)
Multiplication/division from left to right.
6/2=3

Leaves you with 3(3)=9.

[Justin85283]

@Relentless_Hippie 6/2 (1+2)
6/2(3) You multiply first so... remember My Dear Aunt Sally
6/ 2x3
6 /6 =1

[Relentless_Hippie]

It's multiplication/division and addition/subtraction from left to right. PEMDAS is used to remember the steps, but when it comes to the last for it's dependent on what comes FIRST.

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[Relentless_Hippie]

*last four

[RainbowFanGirl]

Both answers are right but the true answer is 9.

[angryshortguy]

Since I am a short guy I had to develop my brains, so the answer is 9. But I would rather be a tall guy who answers 1 than a short guy that answers 9.

[BaileyisDarcy]

The fuck does your height have to do with a math equation?

[angryshortguy]

@BaileyisDarcy Short guys are good at maths because we have to overcompensate.

[BaileyisDarcy]

Oh someone please knock some sense into this world, you're all fucking ridiculous

[Anonymous]

Fuck this shit. I haven't done math in over 5 years but I got 1.

2x (1+2) = 3
6/3=1.

[Opinion Owner]

FML! 2x 3 =6
6/6=1

[Opinion Owner]

It's fucking 3 AM in Europe I'm tired.

[JuicyBrain]

I think you mean
6/2 = 3
3 * (1+2) = 9

[Opinion Owner]

@JuicyBrain No, I mean 1.

[Opinion Owner]

2x (1+2) = 2x3 = 6
6/6= 1.

[Relentless_Hippie]

The answer is 9

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[Ephemera1]

One. Have y'all not taken algebra or something?

[zoooot]

how is that even relevant?

[Ephemera1]

I thought of (1+2) kinda like a variable. So 2x

[zoooot]

what? it literally just means "1 plus 2", hence it being written as "1 plus 2" :D

[zoooot]

even if you replaced "(1+2)" by "x", the answer would still be 9 (assuming x would be 3), so it doesn't change anything

i think the lack of multiplication sign is throwing off a lot of people, making them think that "2x" (or "2(1+2)" as the case may be) should somehow go before the division operation, but thats wrong. the multiplication sign might not be shown but its still a multiplication.

[Wonderer89]

Definitely 9, BODMAS
1+2 = 3
6/2 = 3
3x3 = 9

[kellyg83]

The answer is 9. It's the order of operations.

[Anonymous]

6÷2(1+2)
6÷(2+4)
6÷6=1

[The_flying_Frenchman]

At least someone knows gradeschool math here. 👍🏼

[Opinion Owner]

@The_flying_Frenchman Yeah, I don't get why people think that because its 9 on a calculator the answer has to be 9

[txdiie_]

isn't the answer 9, sorry not a math wiz

[txdiie_]

because you start off in the Brackets using
BIDMAS or BODMAS
B = Brackets which means start inside the brackets.
1 + 2 = 3
Then go to the next equation
6 divided by two is 3
since there are next to each other it means multiply them together
3 x 3 = 9

[FakeName123]

6 / 2 x (1+2)
= 6 / 2 x 3
= 3 x 3
= 9

[FakeName123]

P. S.

"neither answers are technically wrong."

Actually yes, one is wrong since math follows a certain set of rules for logical reasons.

[JoyGirl]

6/2(1+2)
6/2(3)
3(3)=9

The answer is 9. 😊

[CyberToothTiger]

The answer 1 , not too good at that type of math.

[Deathraider]

According to the order of operation, always 9.

[ikissedtheskyonce]

The anwer is 1. Or blue lol

[captaineoncreep]

REMEBER PEMDAS omfg its 1?

[Justin85283]

No it's My Dear Aunt Sally

[Relentless_Hippie]

www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html

[Roadcruiser1]

The answer is 1 dude. ;P.

[CT_CD]

The answer is either 1 or 9

[Anonymous]

It's not complicated, just stupidly written.

[ManOnFire]

I believe it's 27.