2023-08-02 09:21 UTC
@DevWouter@s.poweredbydev.com @mattgoldman@mastodon.social both got the correct answer of 1 - well done! Let's look at the correct working out, then delve into where people go wrong with their #Maths #math
8/2(1+3)
=8/(2*1+2*3)
=8/(2+6)
=8/8
=1
Also acceptable is...
8/2(1+3)
=8/2(4)
=8/(2*4)
=8/8
=1
If you've seen someone say that it's ambiguous, it isn't - we shall see in coming weeks that #MathsIsNeverAmbiguous they have simply forgotten one or more #Mathematics rules
First, #DontForgetDistribution the Distributive Law...
Replies (1)
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@SmartmanApps@dotnet.social 2023-08-02 09:29
Reference in top left of screenshot. Note the use of the words "everything" and "must" - certainly no room for ambiguity there! Hence the Distributive Law, because must always be obeyed. AKA expand brackets, AKA expand and simplify. Next, "if you want to remove the bracket" - in other words, you CAN'T remove the brackets UNTIL YOU HAVE DISTRIBUTED AND SIMPLIFIED. Mistake #1 removing the brackets before completing that. Mistake #2 ignoring that the "multiplication" is INSIDE THE BRACKETS...