Math challenge: Unravel the mystery of this seemingly simple equation

A controversial equation divides opinions: discover why the correct result is surprising when following traditional mathematical rules.

Exploration of the different calculation steps:

Step 1: Simplifying the parentheses

To begin, let's shorten the expression inside the parentheses:

1 + 2 = 3

Thus, the expression becomes:

6 ÷ 2(3)

Step 2: Handling multiplication and division operations (from left to right)

The fundamental rule of mathematics is to respect  the order of operations , known by the acronyms  PEMDAS  or  BODMAS , which mean:

• P/B  = Parentheses
• E/O  = Exponents or Orders (powers, roots)
• MD  = Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
• AS  = Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

Note:  Multiplication and division are treated at the same level and must be performed in  the order they appear  from left to right.

Thus, the expression  6 ÷ 2(3)  can be rewritten as follows:

6 ÷ 2 × 3

Step 3: Division and multiplication

Let's begin with the division:

6 ÷ 2 = 3

Next, let's perform the multiplication:

3 × 3 = 9

Final result: 9

Why does this expression cause confusion?

Some people interpret  6 ÷ 2(1 + 2)  differently. They believe the expression should be solved as if it were written like this:

6 ÷ [2 × (1 + 2)] , which would lead to a result of  1 .

However, in accordance with  universal mathematical rules , the correct interpretation is to respect the order of operations by  treating multiplications and divisions from left to right .

Tip: Memorize the order of operations

To avoid this kind of error, keep in mind that  multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction , but they must be solved  from left to right , without favoring one over the other.

This will avoid many debates!