What is 6÷2(1+2) = ? The Correct Answer Explained

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• published: 31 Aug 2016
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What is 6÷2(1+2) = ? This problem went viral and generated millions of comments on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and social media sites. I explain how to get the correct answer by using the modern interpretation of the order of operations. I also explain how you would get a different answer under historical usage of the division symbol. Blog (text explanation): http://wp.me/p6aMk-4OV Slate explains the history of the division symbol http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/03/facebook_math_problem_why_pemdas_doesn_t_always_give_a_clear_answer.html Here is a 1917 article from "The American Mathematical Monthly" that explains the usage of the division symbol as an exception to the order of operations http://www.jstor.org/stable/2972726?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Google evaluation https://www.google.com/#q=6%C3%B72(1%2B2) WolframAlpha evaluation http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=6%C3%B72(1%2B2) If you like my videos, you can support me at Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/mindyourdecisions Connect on social media. I update each site when I have a new video or blog post, so you can follow me on whichever method is most convenient for you. My Blog: http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/preshtalwalkar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Your-Decisions/168446714965 Google+: https://plus.google.com/108336608566588374147/posts Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/preshtalwalkar/ Tumblr: http://preshtalwalkar.tumblr.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/preshtalwalkar/ Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/mindyourdecisions Newsletter (sent about 2 times a year): http://eepurl.com/KvS0r My Books "The Joy of Game Theory" shows how you can use math to out-think your competition. (rated 4/5 stars on 23 reviews) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1500497444 "The Irrationality Illusion: How To Make Smart Decisions And Overcome Bias" is a handbook that explains the many ways we are biased about decision-making and offers techniques to make smart decisions. (rated 5/5 stars on 1 review) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1523231467/ "Math Puzzles Volume 1" features classic brain teasers and riddles with complete solutions for problems in counting, geometry, probability, and game theory. Volume 1 is rated 4.5/5 stars on 11 reviews. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1517421624/ "Math Puzzles Volume 2" is a sequel book with more great problems. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1517531624/ "Math Puzzles Volume 3" is the third in the series. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1517596351/ "40 Paradoxes in Logic, Probability, and Game Theory" contains thought-provoking and counter-intuitive results. (rated 4.9/5 stars on 7 reviews) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1517319307/ "The Best Mental Math Tricks" teaches how you can look like a math genius by solving problems in your head (rated 4.7/5 stars on 3 reviews) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/150779651X/ "Multiply Numbers By Drawing Lines" This book is a reference guide for my video that has over 1 million views on a geometric method to multiply numbers. (rated 5/5 stars on 1 review) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1500866148/