the trickiest algebra problem, be careful

Many PEOPLE will get WRONG! What is the correct answer?
Viral maths problem. Solution

[@kevincaruthers5412]

Anyone who didn't get the right answer should sue their education system.

[@tomcruz2180]

Since there are only 2 operations (division/multiplication) that is of same degree, just solve it from left-to-right. The correct answer is 4.

[@wepped482]

Just turn the divide by 2 into multiplying by 1/2 so that 4*.5*4*.5=16*.25=4

[@Tiriondil]

I disagree with your opimiom that it is incorrect to calculate both times 4:2 first. The reasoon is that you can write x(1/2) instead of :2 because the multiplcation with the reciprocal is the division in itself. That means that 4:2 = 4 * (1/2), which transforms the whole term into 4 * (1/2) * 4 * (1/2). Thus it is absolutely valid to do the divisions both firs, as the multiplication is associative. And as the multiplication is also commutative it would also absolutely valid to calculate 4*4 = 16 and 1/2 * 1/2 = 1/4 first and then 16 : 4 = 4.

[@ruedigerrichter4022]

4

[@GaryBricaultLive]

This is not a tricky math problem at all. What need to be explained at that the division symbol "dot-bar-dot" is a special symbol that need to be contained within parenthesis. The formula fragment "A dot-bar-dot B" needs to be parenthesized as (A dot-bar-dot B) and therefore treated as a higher priority division than the forward slash "/" division sign or multiplication. Rewriting the proposed equation will yield (4 dot-bar-dot 2) X (4 dot-bar-dot 2) = 2 X 2 = 4.

[@harrymatabal8448]

Totally agree with you. 4÷2 =2×4 = 8÷2 = 4 mentally

[@denniskrook2925]

0.25

[@tmjcbs]

No: this is NOT an interesting math problem! This is a matter of very bad notation never used by serious mathematicians. If you mean ((4/2)x4)/2 just write it that way, with parenthesis and preferably with fractions (I mean: with horizontal division sign). Furthermore the use of ÷ keeps everything on one line, complicating things further, even with parenthesis.

[@mathsmood]

What is a correct answer? What do you think?❤️❤️❤️

[@dough9512]

If multipliation comes BEFORE division, then second step you should have 4÷8÷2=, third would be. 0.5÷2=, with the answer =0.25 Just following the rules.

[@jamesdixon8072]

That is hardly the "trickiest" algebra problem when both approaches results in the same answer. You did not mention the one approach that is wrong which is to do the multiplication first and you get 4 div 8 div 2 = 1/4 (not even one of the possible answers). The important thing is that PEMDAS is not done strictly in that order It is actually P then E, then M & D from left to right, then A & S from left to right.

[@Mediterranean81]

4