Maths Question

[caroworcester]

Can someone explain why 8+2 divided by (4-2) = 9

[aelmpvw]

spose i'm wrong but i make it 5

[caroworcester]

Thats what I thought too!

[Toorak]

The 2 is divided by 4 + 2 (2) resulting in 1 added to the 8 to make 9

[Jackdaw33]

9 is correct. 8 + 2/(4/2) = 9. If you want the answer 5 then you must put brackets around the 8 + 2.

[maggiebee]

This is why I ALWAYS failed maths!

[geevo41]

The mnemonic BODMAS tells you in which order the calculation should be done

Brackets
Of
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction

Giving Toorak's explanation

[Toorak]

I meant to say 4 - 2 (not 4 + 2)

[Buenchico]

Oh no, not again!

Threads about the order of mathematical operations tend to run to dozens of posts here on AB, with plenty of argument about what's 'right' or 'wrong'.

My own view (as a maths graduate who's taught the subject up to A-level) is that what's really 'wrong' is the expression given in your question. Mathematics is all about clarity and that expression fails to make it completely clear (in away that nobody here could possibly argue about or misunderstand) as to what the required order of operations is. I'd be reaching for my red pen if a student of mine had ever written it down like that! For clarity it needs some additional brackets.

However the reason that the answer is 9 is defined by 'BODMAS', which has been taught in schools for centuries. (Not by me though! I insisted on seeing some additional brackets to clarify things!!!). That's explained here:
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/num/bodmas.html

Looking at your expression
8 + 2 ÷ (4 - 2)
and applying BODMAS tells us that the first thing to deal with is what's inside the brackets, giving us
8 + 2 ÷ 2
Then, because division takes priority over addition, it's the division that has to be carried out next, giving us
8 + 1 = 9

[Jackdaw33]

Using BODMAS you first divide the 4/2 to give 2. You then divide the other 2 by 2 to give 1. Finally you add the 8 to give 9.

[fiction-factory]

I agree with Buenchico. I too prefer to use additional brackets as it should avoid any misunderstandings if someone is unsure about the other aspects of BODMAS