Viral math problem baffles many on Internet

[MaxPC]

It's rather is a sad commentary on mathematic education though.
Which did you use?
PEMDAS?
or
BODMAS?

Viral math problem baffles many on Internet: Can you solve 8÷2(2+2)?

[Bootstrap]

Hmmmph, you really shouldn't write a formula that way, it's ambiguous.

Abstract: even in mathematics, ambiguities can be hard to spot. The phenomenon seen here in arithmetic goes beyond the usual PEMDAS rule and illustrates an ambiguity which can lead to heated arguments and discussions.

Why is this a sad commentary on mathematical education, though?

[Robert]

Why is this a sad commentary on mathematical education, though?

Well, answer me this. My children know the answer. What is 1 and 1?

[Bootstrap]

Why is this a sad commentary on mathematical education, though?

Well, answer me this. My children know the answer. What is 1 and 1?

In conventional integer arithmetic or some other system?

[Robert]

In conventional integer arithmetic or some other system?

It has to be simple if my children know it.

[Robert]

No guesses?

[Bootstrap]

No guesses?

I'm guessing concatenation: 1+1 = 11. But you could also use set membership: 1 + 1 = (1, 1). It really depends on the definition of 1 and the definition of "and", so you can use your imagination ... in binary, 1+1 = 10, for instance. Why shouldn't 1+1=0, we can jiggle our definitions to make that work.

That's why I asked the integer arithmetic question. In traditional integer arithmetic, there is only one boring answer. And if you are balancing your checkbook, I always recommend traditional arithmetic.

[JimFoxvog]

I understand multiplication without a multiplication sign to be similar to a parenthesis, so get 1, but 16 is also a reasonable answer for this ambiguous expression. If there were a multiplication sign I'd clearly read it as 16.

Interesting how the comments on the link often are so political!

[Wade]

It's rather is a sad commentary on mathematic education though.
Which did you use?
PEMDAS?
or
BODMAS?

Viral math problem baffles many on Internet: Can you solve 8÷2(2+2)?

I got 16. I learnt BEDMAS in school.

[mercysfree]

My college algebra rules say 16. I did it on both graphing and scientific calculators just to see of it would say error (which it would if the notation was recognized as ambiguous) and got 16 then also.