Lately, a netizen from UK started the challenge on an equation 6÷2 (1+2)=? in Twitter, this looks like a pretty simple equation but there is 2 groups of people showing 2 answers. One saying 1 and another group of people saying 9. So which is the answer?
Both group with the different answer also said they derived the answer using BIDMAS. Which make #BIDMAS trending in UK over the weekend.
According to BBC, BIDMAS is an acronym used to tell you the correct order to complete a equation when there are different operations. BIDMAS stands for Brackets, Indices, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
▼The debate is still on, let’s see how the 2 groups of netizens derived their answer:
▼Even some netizens using 2 model of Casio calculator and they also got a different answer:
But according to Sin Chew, a professor from standford college said the answer differ because before 1917, we will need to work out the equation with the point of algebra, which means 2 (1+2) =6 then only 6 ÷ 6 = 1.
While after 1917, we worked out those equation based on arithmetic, where 6÷2 (1+2)= we will need to work out those in the bracket (1+2)=3 then 6÷2(3) , 6÷2 x 3 then from left to right 6 divide by 3 times 3 , which is 9. So 9 is the correct answer.