Question

How do you simplify `6÷2(1+2)` using order of operations?

Answer 1

9

Explanation:

Using PEDMAS ie 'order of operations '

Parenthesis ( brackets ) must be done first followed by multiplication then division . Division and Multiplication are of equal precedence.

`rArr 6 ÷ 2 ( 1 + 2 )`

= `6 ÷ 2 xx 3`

and evaluating from ' left to right' to obtain answer.

`=3xx3=9`

Answer 2

`9`

Explanation:

There is only one term, but the bracket needs to be calculated first.

`6div2(1+2)" becomes " 6 div 2 xx3`

Division and multiplication are equally strong, it does not matter which is done first, as long as the division is by 2 and the multiplication is by 3

By the associative law we have:

`(6div2) xx3 = (6xx3)div 2 = 6 xx(3div2)`

`rArr 3xx3 " "= 18div2" "= 6xx3/2`

= `9" "=9" =9"`

This is NOT equal to `6 div(2xx3)`, which would give 1.