How to evaluate 6 ÷ 2(1+2) =? Is 2(1+2) a monomial? A single quantity?

Question

The issue is wether 6 ÷ 2(1+2) can be reduced to 6 ÷ 2 · 3 = 9

Or should be 6 ÷ 2(3) = 6 ÷ 6 = 1

 

its an argument with bizarre attempts at proof. 

 

Thanks

Answer 1

By rules of order of arithmetic operations, 

 

6 ÷ 2(1+2) = (6 ÷ 2)(1 + 2) = 3*3 = 9

 

However, it is usually better to include parenthesis to remove any doubt.

Answer 2

What we have is an order of operations problem here.

Step one: parentheses

(1 + 2) = 3

6 / 2 * 3

Step two: exponents

We don't have any

Step three: multiplication and division from left to right:

6 / 2 * 3

6/2=3

        3*3 = 9

 

Final answer is 9.