A simple math problem posted on Twitter in 2019 sparked a heated debate that spread like wildfire across the internet. The equation, 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2), seemed straightforward, but its solution left many people scratching their heads. The controversy even reached the offices of Popular Mechanics, where editors were divided on the answer.
The debate centered around the order of operations, commonly known as PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction). One group of editors argued that the equation should be solved using the traditional PEMDAS method. This meant solving the equation inside the parentheses first, resulting in 8 ÷ 2 x 4. Following the order of operations, the next step would be to divide 8 by 2, resulting in 4, and then multiply 4 by 4, yielding a final answer of 16.
However, not everyone agreed with this solution. The other half of the Popular Mechanics editors argued that the equation was ambiguous and that the correct answer was actually 1. They also used the PEMDAS method, but interpreted it differently. According to their reasoning, the multiplication operation inside the parentheses took precedence over the division operation outside the parentheses.
As the debate raged on, mathematicians and scientists weighed in on the issue. Mike Breen, from the American Mathematical Society, stated that according to the strict order of operations, the correct answer was indeed 16. However, he also acknowledged that the equation was ambiguous and that different interpretations were possible.
Despite the experts’ input, the debate continued. Physics Professor Rhett Allain from Southeastern Louisiana University was consulted by the editors, and he provided further insight into the issue. According to him, the equation was a matter of convention, and different conventions could lead to different answers. He suggested that the equation should have been written more clearly, using parentheses to avoid ambiguity.
In the end, the great math debate of 2019 may not have been fully resolved, but it did highlight the importance of clear communication and convention in mathematics. Whether the answer is 16 or 1, the debate itself was a fascinating example of how math can bring people together and spark interesting discussions.
