Expert: Richard J. Raridon - 5/2/2011

Question
QUESTION: I'm 23 just graduated college. I've failed at math pretty much all my life.

I found this on the internet and there's tons of different answers. Which answer is right?

6÷2(1+2)=?

Pemdas states you would do (1+2) = 3.
Then 2(3) = 6, divided by 6 = 1.

But then wouldn't it technically have to be (6÷2)(1+2) ?

So in that case, it would be
6 / 2*1 + 2.
2*1 = 2.
6 / 2 + 2.
6 / 2 = 3.
3 + 2 = 5?

Crap!! How do you do this problem!? What is the answer?!?!

ANSWER: I don't know what Pemdas is but you always do the operation
inside parentheses first.  To be correct it should have been
written 6/[2(1+2)] = 6/[2(3)] = 6/6 = 1
The way it was written you could have divided 6/2 to get 3
and then multiply it by 3 to get 9

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: oh, I was always taught pemdas in school.

please excuse my dear aunt sally.

parenthesis exponent multiplaction division addition subtraction.

ok I got 9 the very first time I did it but then couldn't figure out how to get it again lol

okay thanks

Why are some people able to do math but others struggle? is there something wrong with my brain?

Answer
I didn't recognize it from the initials but everyone learning algebra
learns those rules.  Some people have an aptitude for math just like
some people have an aptitude for playing an instrument or playing
a sport.  I've just been lucky to have enjoyed math for 70 years and
and still enjoy trying to help others.  I've answered a few thousand
questions on this site.  Since we encounter math all the time you need
to learn as much of it as you can.