VIRAL EQUATION PLEASE SOLVE

Question

So, there is a viral equation going around and everyone is arguing about who is right on Facebook. This is the funniest thing. There are two answers: 6 and 24. Please, solve the equation below! 

 

60÷5(7-5)

 

we have a lot of people saying 6. However I think if the equation was:

 

60÷[5(7-5)] then it would equal to 6
60÷[5(2)]
60÷10
=6

 

But it is not! So wouldn't the answer to 60÷5(7-5) be 24?

60÷5(7-5)
60÷5×2
12×2
24

 

Please, I need a Math Teacher LOL. HELP SOLVE THIS ARGUMENT

 

 

Answer 1

Note that the '*' is implied, so this is:

   60 / 5 * (7-5)

 

The Precedence Rules (P-E-M-D-A-S) are intended to make such expressions unambiguous.  Thus, calculators and computers may automatically parse and solve this expression.

 

Put:

   60 / 5 * (7-5)

into the Bing or Google search box, or into MS Excel, or into any calculator.  The answer is 24.

Answer 2

60÷5(7-5)

60÷5(2)

multiply and divide in order from left to right whichever occurs first

division comes before multiplication

12*2

24 answer

Answer 3

It could also be 2. If you follow pemdas and do the parentheses and distribution first, you get 60 / (35-5), which is 2 . ??

Answer 4

The two possible answers result from ambiguity over which equation is represented by the problem:

 

  60              

----------    =  6

5*(7-5)

 

or

 

60*(7-5)

---------- = 24

    5

 

On other words, is the (7-5) in the numerator or denominator?  Rather than argue over the ambiguity or the proper order of operations, the BEST answer is to never write an ambiguous equation - use parentheses to remove any possible ambiguity. 

 

(60/5)*(7-5) = 24   OR  60/(5*(7-5)) = 6

 

No self-respecting mathematician would write an ambiguous equation.