What's the answer to 36/3(7-5)?

Question

I'm a parent having a (good natured) disagreement with a teacher over this. Its a question of order of precedence. I say the answer is 6. She says the answer is 24. 

Her logic:
36/3(7-5)  = 36/3(2) then apply operators left to right since they are all the same precedence

My logic:
36/3(7-5) = 36/(21-15) since you first need to distribute the three.

Weigh in!

Elmyr · Accepted Answer

It's 36/3 * (7-5) = 12 * 2 = 24

For your way to be correct, it should be written as:
36/[3 * (7-5)] = 36 / 6 = 6

As it's written, it's the same as:
36 ÷ 3 × (7 - 5)
Parentheses always first
Then ÷ and × have the same precedence, so you have to go from left to right.
The only time you would distribute the 3 is if the terms in the parentheses could not be combined, like 7x - 5

The VC 06 · Answer

Hi,

Your answer is right, it should be 6.  However, both of your methods provide the SAME answer.

Notice her logic will eventually give:  36 / 6 = 6.

Now, your logic will give:  36 / [21 - 15] which also equals 36 / 6 = 6.

Therefore, both answers are the same, just done in different ways! =)

I hope that helps you out!  Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Jun Agruda · Answer

= 36/3(7 - 5)
= 12(2)
= 24

Answer: 24

Another way:
= 252/3 - 180/3
= 72/3
= 24

Davin Hardoyo · Answer

Even if the answer is the same, you should finish inside the parenthesis. So the problem is the process.

JB · Answer

remember Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally?  It stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction.  Sorry, but the teacher is correct.

Yves From Canada · Answer

I think she is right because we should always do calculations inside parenthesis before anything else.

CoolkidGus818 · Answer

i believe she is right

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What's the answer to 36/3(7-5)?

7 Answers