4 X 4 + 4 X 4 + 4 - 4 X 4 =

[robbiebob]

There are arguments between two different answers!!

Does anybody know if the sum could have two answers or only one??

TIA

[BrainFury]

20

[excelsior-1]

my working out results in 320

i cannot see any other solution

[robbiebob]

I got 20 too.. The other answer was 360.

[888]

320 if you do each individually and not in brackets. What's the 2nd, and how did you get 20 BF?

[robbiebob]

I read it (4 x 4) + (4 x 4) + 4 - (4 x 4) =

[shoota]

If it were to be done with brackets would the brackets not be there?

[BrainFury]

^^ That is correct. Put it into Excel:

=4*4+4*4+4-4*4

[excelsior-1]

exactly, shoota

no brackets .. hence my answer

[BrainFury]

Brackets aren't required.

[BrainFury]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations

[888]

At this rate you could be here all day, e.g.4 x (4+4) x (4+4) - (4x4), or (4x4+4) x (4+4-4) x4 etc. It's sooo wrong. 360 robbiebob??

[BrainFury]

There were no brackets in the original formula. If there were, they would have taken priority.

But there weren't. Simples!

[mibn2cweus]

Google it - https://www.google.com/search?q=4+X+4+%2B+4+X+4+%2B+4+-+4+X+4+%3D&rlz=1C1CHMI_enUS330US331&;oq=4+X+4+%2B+4+X+4+%2B+4+-+4+X+4+%3D&aqs=chrome.0.57&sugexp=chrome,mod=6&sourceid=chrome&;ie=UTF-8

[Lore]

I read it as 16 +16 + 4 -16 = 20
Always work out the multiplication first, brackets or no brackets.

[mohill]

Absolutely correct Lore

[AlwaysConfused]

20?

[factor-fiction]

It's definitely 20 using the standard rules for order of operations (usually referred to as BODMAS/BIDMAS or PEDMAS).
http://www.math.com/school/subject2/lessons/S2U1L2GL.html

[robbiebob]

Anyone got Carol Vorderman's email??

[maggiebee]

In the absence of brackets I got 20.

[Georgiesmum]

I got 320.