View Full Version : Mathematicians
from a sample 11 plus exam paper today...
(7-3)+6÷2=
and the answer is ?
poll added above
MisterTommyH
12-10-11, 08:17 PM
7?
There seems to be a lot of these things floating around at the moment.
7?
There seems to be a lot of these things floating around at the moment.
we're right in the middle of 11 plus practice season, that'll be why
minimorecambe
12-10-11, 08:21 PM
I'd say 5 aswell
MisterTommyH
12-10-11, 08:22 PM
Yeah, but I was even lectured at the pub about BODMAS the other lunch time.....
Maybe a teacher who'd got fed up and had a few too many...?
minimorecambe
12-10-11, 08:23 PM
The answer would be 7 if the question was (7-3)+(6÷2)=
beabert
12-10-11, 08:24 PM
edit - sorry didnt see it was a vote lol
Hint- At school they taught us to remember the word BODMAS to remember the correct order.
exactly. Now, the answer to the exam was listed as 5, but that isn't correct, it is as some of you entered 7.
MisterTommyH
12-10-11, 08:35 PM
That's really bad. Who wrote the paper? Did you sack them?
The answer would be 7 if the question was (7-3)+(6÷2)=
Divide before adding, you don't need the second brackets.
i said 5 as the sum would be 4+6/2= 5
if it were as Helen said (7-3)+(6÷2)= 7 or 7-3+(6÷2)=7
ooo well i got it wrong.. back of the class for me then :-)
hardhat_harry
12-10-11, 08:38 PM
Why 7? you do whatever is in the brackets first, so 5
exactly. Now, the answer to the exam was listed as 5, but that isn't correct, it is as some of you entered 7.
Why 7? you do whatever is in the brackets first, so 5
almost, it should be done in this order;
BODMAS
Brackets
Orders - dont ask...
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
so (7-3)+6÷2 is equivalent to (7-3)+(6÷2)
MisterTommyH
12-10-11, 08:41 PM
Edit: What he said ^^^^^
Why 7? you do whatever is in the brackets first, so 5
Do the brackets first. so 4 + 6 /2 =?
Then orders (powers) - There are none
Then multiplications or divisions so 4 + 3 = ?
Finally additions and subtractions so 4 + 3 = 7
andrewsmith
12-10-11, 08:46 PM
I can to a cash, tax and vat calc and still can't get simple maths right
oh eck! I got it as 3.
I saw the equation as nothing in front of the bracket = 0.(7-3)+6/2=3
Doh!
454697819
12-10-11, 09:49 PM
sorry wth how is the answer ever going to be 7?
The Idle Biker
12-10-11, 09:52 PM
do the sum in the brackets first. then do the remaining sum. the sum in the brackets has to be done first. its a bit like foreplay. ignore it and you'll get the wrong end result.
sorry wth how is the answer ever going to be 7?
like this...
brackets first
(7-3)+6÷2 =
4+6÷2=
then division
4+6÷2=
4+3=
then the addition
4+3=7
kiggles
12-10-11, 10:07 PM
BODMAS
-brackets
-orders
-division/multiplcation
-addition
-subtraction
answer is 7
http://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-bodmas.html
order of
dizzyblonde
12-10-11, 10:28 PM
Its bloody seven.
7-3= 4
6 divided by 2 = 3
4+3=7
Bluefish
12-10-11, 10:45 PM
Never heard of BODMAS before, so did it in the order presented, so 5, still at least i can spell, innit.
The answer is 7! That is a mathematical fact. How has this lasted 3 pages, and more votes for 5!!!?
Basic maths fact.
3 + 4 x 7 =
not 7 x 7
but
3 + 28, because you always multiply/divide the numbers in a sum before you add or subtract. Basic maths rule. So same rule applies for the op's question.
Specialone
12-10-11, 11:21 PM
Tbh, I put 7 right at the start but you can obviously get both answers easily.
(7-3)=4+6 =10 /2 =5
Or
(7-3)=4, 6/2=3
4+3=7
Both work IMO.
Tbh, I put 7 right at the start but you can obviously get both answers easily.
(7-3)=4+6 =10 /2 =5
Or
(7-3)=4, 6/2=3
4+3=7
Both work IMO.
But one way is maths, and the other way is nonsense.
Specialone
12-10-11, 11:27 PM
The answer is 7! That is a mathematical fact. How has this lasted 3 pages, and more votes for 5!!!?
Basic maths fact.
3 + 4 x 7 =
not 7 x 7
but
3 + 28, because you always multiply/divide the numbers in a sum before you add or subtract. Basic maths rule. So same rule applies for the op's question.
Where was the multiply? :confused:
Specialone
12-10-11, 11:32 PM
Can you not see there is two ways to write the equation?
4+6/2
4+3 (6/2)
Where was the multiply? :confused:
eh?:confused:
Specialone
12-10-11, 11:35 PM
eh?:confused:
At no point in the op does it show a 'X' ( multiply) in the equation !!
I might be missing something but 28? No one else got any part of it to be 28 lol
Can you not see there is two ways to write the equation?
4+6/2
4+3 (6/2)
I don't understand this. Either way, this is not about arranging equations. This is about doing the calculations in the sum in the correct mathematical order, which as people have mentioned is 'bodmas'.
At no point in the op does it show a 'X' in the equation !!
I might be missing something but 28? No one else got any part of it to be 28 lol
My example had nothing to do with the op's equation. It was an example to those who put 5 down, as to why the answer in the op's sum is 7. It was a different sum I invented to illustrate that you must multiply/divide before adding/subtracting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BODMAS
Specialone
12-10-11, 11:43 PM
You can't just go round inventing new equations, that's not maths.
I correctly put 7 like I said but I can see both.
You can't just go round inventing new equations, that's not maths.
I correctly put 7 like I said but I can see both.
Inventing new equations? You've lost me mate.
And there is no both. There is only 7.
Specialone
12-10-11, 11:46 PM
Inventing new equations? You've lost me mate.
And there is no both. There is only 7.
Sorry dude, taking the p1ss :)
timwilky
13-10-11, 06:16 AM
As others have said there is an order of precedence which applies.
In the OP equation, (7-3)+6÷2.
the divisor has precedence over the "+", therefore the equation reads (7-3) + (6÷2) =7
kellyjo
13-10-11, 06:48 AM
Bidmas, the answer is 7
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 07:39 AM
Ha ha,
I just asked another engineer at work and he said 5. When I pointed out bodmas the excuse was that the question was ambiguous and that the last bit should be it brackets.
I see what he's saying, but it doesn't HAVE to be in brackets, that's just another way to write it if you choose.
Ha ha,
I just asked another engineer at work and he said 5. When I pointed out bodmas the excuse was that the question was ambiguous and that the last bit should be it brackets.
I see what he's saying, but it doesn't HAVE to be in brackets, that's just another way to write it if you choose.
Its only ambiguous if you aren't aware of the mathematical precedence that needs to be applied.
If you really want to blow your mind, open up the calculator app in Windows and try 1+2x3= See what you get in 'standard mode' view and try the same sum in 'scientific mode'.
The correct answer is 7, not 9 as displayed by lower quality calculators that don't apply the correct operator precedence.
Is the answer 6?
(Btw I have never heard of BODMAS or realised there was such a rule! No wonder I failed the 11 plus!)
ooo well i got it wrong.. back of the class for me then :-)
Nah - its just our superior education system. We don't have 11+ because we are all so brainy we don't need seperate schools etc etc
But never heard of bodmas and i got it wrong too (but i have just got my budget sheet totalling £1.1mil correct to the penny!)
BernardBikerchick
13-10-11, 09:39 AM
i get 8
erm !!
anyway come to nmy birthday !
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=171679
Sid Squid
13-10-11, 10:20 AM
There is only one operation in brackets, thus the there is no second separated operation, which is what brackets denote.
The question as it is written: (7-3)+6÷2, which is 4+6÷2, not 4+3.
First operation is (7-3) = 4
This is followed by +6 no brackets thus operates on the whole preceeding making 10
This is followed by ÷2 similarly no brackets so operates on the whole preceeding making 5.
The answer to the question as it is written is 5
It is not written (7-3)+(6÷2) if it were then the answer would be 7, the second set of brackets is not present in the original question.
wyrdness
13-10-11, 10:26 AM
The question is ambiguous. If you evaluate it left to right, then the answer comes out as 5. However, if you use the generally accepted rules of mathematical precedence, where division comes before addition, then you'll get 7.
It really needs extra brackets to remove this ambiguity. Since it's an 11 plus question, it boils down to whether 11 year olds have been taught about mathematical precedence. if they haven't, then they should answer 5, but if they have then they really ought to answer 7.
daveyrach
13-10-11, 10:32 AM
Basically 4+6 divided by 2 = 5?
Also depends how you read it, if you read it as (7-3)+(6/2) then you get 7, but as the second set of number is not in brackets then this is incorrect.
Brackets are not necessary, the order of operator preference is what governs the answer.
wyrdness
13-10-11, 10:48 AM
Brackets are not necessary, the order of operator preference is what governs the answer.
Not exactly. As I said above, this is an 11-plus question. If those kids haven't been taught the rules of operator precedence then they can't be expected to use them when evaluating the expression. So if they haven't yet been taught operator precedence, then they're quite correct in answering 5.
dizzyblonde
13-10-11, 10:49 AM
The only way to settle this is for me to ask my nine year old this evening to do it.
:lol:
Not exactly. As I said above, this is an 11-plus question. If those kids haven't been taught the rules of operator precedence then they can't be expected to use them when evaluating the expression. So if they haven't yet been taught operator precedence, then they're quite correct in answering 5.
What you say may to some extent let you predict how people might answer but it does not alter the validity of that answer. Mathematical operator precedence always applies, brackets should be used to alter that order as necessary.
Bluefish
13-10-11, 11:15 AM
Ha ha, I got it right 5 lol
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 11:17 AM
Not exactly. As I said above, this is an 11-plus question. If those kids haven't been taught the rules of operator precedence then they can't be expected to use them when evaluating the expression. So if they haven't yet been taught operator precedence, then they're quite correct in answering 5.
In which case the examiner setting the question should account for the fact that the candidates may not have been taught BODMAS and alter the question to suit.....not give the solution as an incorrect answer.
What happens to the kid who's had extra tuition and does know what it means? He'll put 7 and get the question wrong...... not exactly fair on him is it.
EDIT: By the way, I think the whole point of the question is to test the knowledge of order of operations. As said earlier this is the 5th or 6th time I've come across little 'teasers' like this floating around on facebook and the like. If this is due to the fact that it's 11+ season, and they're all basically the same seems sensible that the question is meant to determine whether you know this rule or not rather tahn to test simple division, addition & subtraction.
Which exactly reflects our education system!
In some areas it is selective according to what you've been taught, both in school and from your cultural/socio-economiuc background.
The 11+ is an outdated way of separating those who can do some things that are deemed superior and those who can't such things. It's got nothing to do with innate ability.
Brackets are not necessary, the order of operator preference is what governs the answer.
Exactly this. I'm quite stunned at how few people in the thread know this, is it not taught any more?
In fact, brackets should be used in order to isolate parts of the expression and adjust the order in which the calculation is done, if the intended answer was 5 then the expression should read;
(7-3+6)÷2=5
The only way to settle this is for me to ask my nine year old this evening to do it.
:lol:
Been there..........................and got told, "dad, please don't help. I always get it wrong when you help."
EssexDave
13-10-11, 12:15 PM
Anything in parentheses is performed first.
However, you also perform the devision before the addition or subtration. Therefore, the 6/2 = 3.
The brackets (7-3) = 4 and so it is essential 4+3 = 7
it appears we still have a mixed opinion across the .org :-) almost a 50/50 split
STRAMASHER
13-10-11, 12:19 PM
'Mon the 7's! :smt045
EssexDave
13-10-11, 12:19 PM
Not exactly. As I said above, this is an 11-plus question. If those kids haven't been taught the rules of operator precedence then they can't be expected to use them when evaluating the expression. So if they haven't yet been taught operator precedence, then they're quite correct in answering 5.
I'd like to clarify that I was tought BODMAS before the 11+
For clarification from the fountain of all knowledge (Wikipedia)
In mathematics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematics) and computer programming (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming), the order of operations (sometimes called operator precedence) is a rule used to clarify unambiguously which procedures should be performed first in a given mathematical expression (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expression_(mathematics)).
For example, in mathematics and most computer languages multiplication is done before addition; in the expression 2 + 3 × 4, the answer is 14. Brackets, which have their own rules, may be used to avoid confusion, thus the preceding expression may also be rendered 2 + (3 × 4), but the brackets are not required as multiplication still has precedence without them.
The order of operations, or precedence, used in mathematics and many programming languages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language) is expressed here:[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]
terms inside parentheses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parentheses) or brackets exponents (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponentiation) and roots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nth_root) multiplication (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplication) and division (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_(mathematics)) As they appear left to right addition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addition) and subtraction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtraction) As they appear left to right This means that if a mathematical expression is preceded by one operator and followed by another, the operator higher on the list should be applied first. The commutative and associative laws of addition and multiplication allow terms to be added in any order and factors to be multiplied in any order, but mixed operations must obey the standard order of operations.
Based on all of the above, it is not ambiguous at all - the answer is 7.
(7-3)+6/2
The rules say do brackets first - the addition is then left until after the division so you do not add the 4 to your 6 until AFTER the division of the 6 giving 3.
3+4=7.
As far as I am aware, and it has been 10 years since I sat my 11+ - this is tested in the 11+ and is on the syllabus.
...stuff...
+1
There are actually a number of things in the 11 plus (depending on which particular subjects it includes) that are not taught in the syllabus for this age group. Some of it does indeed test ability rather than what you've been taught. Practice and teaching can to some extent narrow the gap between ability ranges.
Key point though is that these mathematical expressions are only ambiguous if the rules are not fully understood.
kiggles
13-10-11, 12:47 PM
i just just voted and more people say 5 then 7!!!
the question was for people who do maths (mathematicians). if a mathematician had put 5, they should be shot for getting this basic concept wrong!!!!
Sid Squid
13-10-11, 02:06 PM
Exactly this. I'm quite stunned at how few people in the thread know this, is it not taught any more?
Not quite:
The question as it is written
I wrote that quite deliberately, precisely meaning that the question is posed to those who will almost certainly be unaware of such things, thus the ambiguities of the notation are in this circumstance particularly amplified.
I commonly use equations such as this in my work, and I always follow the teaching of my secondary school maths master; make it plain. Thus the question, as it is written and for whom it is written should not be imprecise, Mr Kaye would brook no argument on this subject, operator order should not be relied upon in common equations as it can be ambiguous, if you wish the question to be asked in a given manner phrase it so.
He had a particular bee in his bonnet abut this, (and many other mathematical things too), this has stayed with me, and the things I write at work are very rarely misunderstood, and if they are it isn't because of the notation.
Make it plain: The answer to the OP's question, as it is written is 5.
[...]The answer to the OP's question, as it is written is 5.
I disagree, just as my calculator disagrees. Your maths teacher is probably correct in that expressions can be made more easily understood by adding brackets as necessary to avoid confusion. But maths is maths, the rules aren't optional just because they are misunderstood.
1 + 2 wouldn't be equal to 5 if I didn't know how to carry out addition.
EssexDave
13-10-11, 02:34 PM
I disagree, just as my calculator disagrees. Your maths teacher is probably correct in that expressions can be made more easily understood by adding brackets as necessary to avoid confusion. But maths is maths, the rules aren't optional just because they are misunderstood.
1 + 2 wouldn't be equal to 5 if I didn't know how to carry out addition.
Exactly this.
Ignorance does not make an answer correct if it is in fact incorrect.
I agree that on occasion, putting brackets in may well simplify things for those that do not understand operator precedence. However, this was drummed into me in year 5 & 6 (year 6 being the 11+ year).
By not putting the brackets in, they are not testing whether you can do 7-3, or 6/2 - they are testing whether they know operator precedence.
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 02:44 PM
if you wish the question to be asked in a given manner phrase it so.
He had a particular bee in his bonnet abut this, (and many other mathematical things too), this has stayed with me, and the things I write at work are very rarely misunderstood, and if they are it isn't because of the notation.
Make it plain: The answer to the OP's question, as it is written is 5.
I agree, and often put additional brackets in where they are not needed for clarity - there is nothing wrong with this, however the answer to the question as it is written is 7. The fact that brackets would make it easier, or that the user doesn't know the correct order of operations no more makes the answer 5 than it does cheese.
The question appeared in an 11+ practice and is therefore there to test if the pupil knows the correct order without the brackets. If the brackets were there, the question would have no point.
I can understand why people say 5, and have done the same myself at times, but it is not, and will never be, the right answer.
If you asked someone in chemistry what water was made of, perhaps at 11 you would accept 'hydrogen and oxygen' as a correct answer.......you would not, however, tell someone who put '2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom' that they were wrong. That is effectivly what this question does.
Sid Squid
13-10-11, 02:49 PM
I'd like to agree, possibly because I was taught the notational differences, but I can't because of the difficulties that they cause.
This isn't changng the rules - this is making it plain for everyone with plain notation that more people more likely already know.
The simple fact that opinion is split strongly suggests that many are not aware of the differences, a simple and plain use of the brackets just about all of us are already familiar with removes ambiguity, I don't think anyone has added up or divided incorrectly, simply the phrasing of the question is far from plain for many people. Add to this, (see what I did there? :D), the fact that some of the people I work with are not aware of the difference, (and these are not uneducated people, they are people with professional electrical and electronic qualifications, so I suspect this also means a significant chunk of the population), and it further suggests that simplification of notation and attention to phrasing is the best way.
There's no change in the maths - it's just making more people understand the question.
I think most are forgetting the context of the mathematical question and the aim of the test. It is for 11+ and should be treated as such. I'm sure in the eyes of the examiner there is one answer and marked accordingly irrespective of whether some might consider the question is plain, simple or ambiguous.
Maybe those 11+ candidates will become engineers and educated people that one day change the questions in the future.
I'd like to agree, possibly because I was taught the notational differences, but I can't because of the difficulties that they cause.
This isn't changng the rules - this is making it plain for everyone with plain notation that more people more likely already know.
The simple fact that opinion is split strongly suggests that many are not aware of the differences, a simple and plain use of the brackets just about all of us are already familiar with removes ambiguity, I don't think anyone has added up or divided incorrectly, simply the phrasing of the question is far from plain for many people. Add to this, (see what I did there? :D), the fact that some of the people I work with are not aware of the difference, (and these are not uneducated people, they are people with professional electrical and electronic qualifications, so I suspect this also means a significant chunk of the population), and it further suggests that simplification of notation and attention to phrasing is the best way.
There's no change in the maths - it's just making more people understand the question.
Now that I agree with totally. What I don't agree with is the answer of 5 mentioned earlier. So, as the question was written it could potentially lead to the incorrect answer and could be avoided by adding brackets or re-phrasing the expression but under no circumstances can the answer be correctly 5 as it is currently written.
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 03:16 PM
Exactly, so in the eye if the marker, the kid who actually knows the rules (which some at 11 will) becomes wrong and loses the mark.
While it may be simple to him, an examiner should never allow something like this to detract from someone who actually knows more. If it was a GCSE or an A level exam people would be calling for the examiners head...
EssexDave
13-10-11, 03:40 PM
From what a few people have said - take the question in context of an 11+ exam I have the following thoughts on that:
Yes it is an 11+ exam.
In the sciences, they teach you about things that you need to know for your level. This is very apparent at GCSE/A level in the sciences.
Generally speaking, as long as the answer you provide is correct (I.e if your answer isn't on the syllabus, but is correct as you have gone into more detail or further, you will still be awarded the marks)
They will never set a question, where the answer is completely wrong.
The answer to the question above can never be 5. They would not teach children that the answer should be 5.
Either, operator precedence should be taken off the syllabus and not tested, or it should be tought properly.
dizzyblonde
13-10-11, 04:02 PM
DB's no1 son:
7-3#looks in head#..........seven.......duuuh thas easy.
So, the 9 year olds first answer is seven. I didn't give him the option 5 or 7. Just asked him to give me the answer to the equation.
He said thats how hes been taught at school. He doesn't know another way, so therefore 5 was not an option anyway
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 04:10 PM
So, the 9 year olds first answer is seven. I didn't give him the option 5 or 7. Just asked him to give me the answer to the equation.
He said thats how hes been taught at school. He doesn't know another way, so therefore 5 was not an option anyway
=D>
hongman
13-10-11, 04:12 PM
I came out at 7 and it took me quite some time to see how anyone could arrive at 5.
Never heard of BODMAS either. I pretty much worked it out as DB's first post.
7-3 = 4
6 / 2 = 3
4 + 3= 7
dizzyblonde
13-10-11, 04:14 PM
=D>
lol. He just said, why did you ask me that? Does someone on the forum not know how to add up :smt098
Dave20046
13-10-11, 04:22 PM
Brackets always first as per bodmas (not that I can remember many more of the letters), it's not written in the plainest way though, in the text book/exam was it set out differently?
... in the text book/exam was it set out differently?
nope
beabert
13-10-11, 04:41 PM
Blimey this post has grown since original post. Didn't expect tso many to get it wrong.
There are no two ways about it. It is 7. No ifs or buts'.
Google (7-3)+6÷2
Seeeee lol.
It also makes it neater for you with a second set of brackets. However with or without brackets the answer is still 7.
This thread is madness. 33 people are essentially arguing that 2x2 is 5?:confused:
Bluefish
13-10-11, 05:45 PM
I suppose you 47% read from right to left as well :D
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 05:49 PM
I suppose you 47% read from right to left as well :D
Nah, that would make the answer -3.66!
hongman
13-10-11, 05:56 PM
Nephew, aged 8 got 7
Nephew, aged 12 got 7
I suppose you 47% read from right to left as well :D
Yes I do :)
dizzyblonde
13-10-11, 07:19 PM
Nephew, aged 8 got 7
Nephew, aged 12 got 7
makes the adults look thick doesn't it :lol:
hongman
13-10-11, 07:49 PM
Its almost as if some are unconciously over-complicating it...
or maybe that's just my comfort reasoning as my maths is not as strong as it should be. I got a B in Math GCSE 11 years ago, but the more specific stuff I have long forgotten.
Know enough to get my by (just).
dizzyblonde
13-10-11, 08:01 PM
Its almost as if some are unconciously over-complicating it...
or maybe that's just my comfort reasoning as my maths is not as strong as it should be. I got a B in Math GCSE 11 years ago, but the more specific stuff I have long forgotten.
Know enough to get my by (just).
Aye I got a C , but 11 year ago, is a long time, I did GCSE maths 18 years ago, and the majority of the things I studied for on papers 1&2?(top papers back then) I've never used in real life, so you forget how to do them. If you don't use that sort of mathematics regularly it fades into obscurity with time......or blondeness, or age :p
enzoalex
13-10-11, 08:06 PM
the other alternative is BIDMAS
B rackets
I ndices
D ivision
M ultiplication
A ddition
S ubtraction
The answer is definitely 7. Unless you have different laws of maths to everyone else.
And in case you're interested, I did A-level Maths and I am doing a degree in Engineering at the moment.
SoulKiss
13-10-11, 08:16 PM
makes the adults look thick doesn't it :lol:
Yeah and I work for a company that does Maths tutoring software for 5 to 13 year olds.
Think I'd better make myself an account up and get busy re-learning.
kiggles
13-10-11, 08:34 PM
i love reading this thread. makes me laugh. Everyones arguing over a question which has an incorrect answer. i am doing a physics degree at the moment, (and should be studying, not on this forum) from my experience, exams and tests can get the wrong answers and leave out information in a question, so it can not be answered correctly. For instance in the maths challenge when I was at school there were 4 answers for a question none of which were correct.
another example would be a missing piece of information for a calculation in a moch test where the weight of an object was not inserted into the question, so the question could not be answered correctly with out it. Hence probably a mistake done by who ever had written it.
The same situation goes for this question, the bracket might be in the wrong place or a set of brackets missing. Therefore a mistake in the paper. Being as we probably study or have jobs we get lazy and dont check things properly, which has probably happened. for example i can do maths/physics etc, but i can not write a report to save my life as i am really bad at english and sometimes decide to skip out words and use the wrong weather, for wether.
my point exactly!
also the question was addressed to mathematicians. Which is someone who is educated in the field of maths and not just those who are able to read a book left to right.
being a physict i dont have a leg to stand on as some of the maths i do has many assumptions that allow me ignore some rules of maths, (assuming it would make sense in the laws of physics).
and just a comment about the engineer that said the answer was 5. LOL. LOL. and LOL again. (physics and engineers dont agree on many things, but cant exist with out one another). although to the engineers defence if someone has asked the question and said "(7-3)+6÷2=* i probably would have said five working it out as i go along. But if they had used their brain and written it down obviously you get 7.
now i better get on with some studying where i can do equations like:
N + 1 = N when N>>1
and you can all say i have no brain, and dont blow up the world with a black hole. (LOL at the dailymail and people's ignorance)
MisterTommyH
13-10-11, 08:37 PM
and just a comment about the engineer that said the answer was 5. LOL. LOL. and LOL again.
I made sure I wrote it down on a post-it for him as well!
kiggles
13-10-11, 08:48 PM
I made sure I wrote it down on a post-it for him as well!
i could laugh at this all day after some of the arguments i have had with some engineers over concepts, but there are so much more physics jokes out there in comparison ill just keep my head down.
"why are physicists so bad in bed?"
"because once they found the position, they haven't got the momentum. once they got the momentum, they don't have position"
Heisenberg uncertainty principle. long story.......
better get on with studying, must turn OFF COMPUTER!! :(
we have an unusually high number of PhDs here at work with having a department full of research scientists just across the road. Consensus here unsurprisingly is 7.
I asked "is there any possible way that the answer can be different to 7?"
"No, the only way that a different result could be obtained would be if the question was not read correctly or the rules of mathematical operator precedence were ignored, which of course isn't optional" ... was the answer I got, typical scientist :-)
beabert
13-10-11, 09:28 PM
we have an unusually high number of PhDs here at work with having a department full of research scientists just across the road. Consensus here unsurprisingly is 7.
I asked "is there any possible way that the answer can be different to 7?"
"No, the only way that a different result could be obtained would be if the question was not read correctly or the rules of mathematical operator precedence were ignored, which of course isn't optional" ... was the answer I got, typical scientist :-)
And that is absolutely the correct answer.
And that is absolutely the correct answer.
+1 and +1
+1 and +1
you mean +2 ? lol :-)
I have to admit I am very surprised at the even split of answers on here.
beabert
13-10-11, 09:42 PM
Post some harder ones :D
andrewsmith
13-10-11, 09:44 PM
you mean +2 ? lol :-)
I have to admit I am very surprised at the even split of answers on here.
I thought that was 8? (joke)
I think it depends on everyone background. I read it like a load calculation where the divide is below and not the way it should have been.
Well, then I even struggle with Tan cos and Sin formulea's as I was never taught the rules (I had to ask a lecturer on the 3rd year of a course to teach me the calculations, how much of a tit do you think I felt)
how the heck do you make it 7 ?....only if 6 is divided by 2 and are in brackest and the are not.
how the heck do you make it 7 ?....only if 6 is divided by 2 and are in brackest and the are not.
omg, I'm not going back over this again. You need to take a read through this thread.
...and while we are here "Happy 100th post!". I didnt think we would stretch to two pages.
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