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The equation that broke the Internet

349 bytes added, 21:14, 30 March 2022
:2÷3 = x
Now we compare the value given in the equation to the value we find found (above) for x.
:2÷3 '''!=''' 2(1+2)
:6÷2(1+2) '''!=''' 9
<p style="text-align:center;"> {{highlight|Without fail, 2(1+2) will always equal (2*1 + 2*2), this is the '''Distributive Law.'''}}</p>
== Proof of correct solution ==
==Processing rules==
In the majority of incorrect proofs the respondent will cite PEMDAS or BODMAS, we all agree that parentheses or brackets are processed first. However, these solvers some respondents incorrectly resolve the [P]arenthesis arentheses or [B]rackets of PEMDAS - BODMAS. For , for some reason, these solvers believe that they can resolve within the parentheses, but ignore neglect to multiply the adjacent and dependent coefficient.
=== PEMDAS ===
6÷2(1+2) has two EXPLICIT operators, division and addition. However, IMPLIED multiplication tells us to IMPLICITLY multiply, [2(2+1)], in the P step of PEMDAS.
Then in In the division step, we must apply division to the (entire) implicitly connected termparenthetical expression. We cannot apply division to the coefficient (2) and then not apply division to the factor (2+1).
'''Incorrect:''' (''because division is not EXPLICITLY applied to (1+2) the entire parenthetical expression'')<div style="color:red;"><div style="width:200px60px; text-align:center; float:left; color:red;">::6 :--------- * (1+2) </div><div style="width:60px; text-align:center; float:2 left;"><br/><nowiki>*</nowiki><br/>
</div>
<div style="width:60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
<br/>
(2+1)
<br/>
</div>
 
<div style="width:60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
<br/>
=
<br/>
</div>
 
<div style="width:60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
<br/>
3 * (1+2)
<br/>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
'''Correct:''' (''when EXPLICIT division is applied, it is applied to the entire term.'')
<div style="color:green;"><div style="width:200px60px; text-align:center; float:left; color:green;">6 ---- 1 </div><div style="width:60px; text-align:6 &nbspcenter;&nbspfloat:left;&nbsp"><br/>÷<br/></div> <div style="width:60px;&nbsptext-align:center;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbspfloat:left;">2(1+2) :--------- ÷ ---------1 </div> <div style="width:60px; text-align:2 &nbspcenter;&nbspfloat:left;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1"><br/>=<br/>
</div>
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
'''Correct:''' (''For multiplication, inverting the denominator will maintain its value.'') <div style="width:200px60px; text-align:center; float:left; color:green;">::6 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 * (1+2) :--------- 6 * ---------1 </div>::2 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1+2)</div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
'''SolutionTraditional solution:'''
<div style="color:green;">
<div style="width:100px60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
6
----
2(1+2)
</div>
<div style="width:100px60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
<br/>
=
</div>
<div style="width:100px60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
3
----
1*(1+2)
</div>
<div style="width:100px60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
<br/>
=
</div>
<div style="width:100px60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
3
----
</div>
<div style="width:100px60px; text-align:center; float:left;">
<br/>
= 1
As we can see, we cannot add an EXPLICIT operator to 6÷2(1+2) without maintaining the IMPLICIT relationship that was stated with IMPLIED multiplication. 6÷2(1+2) == 6÷(2*(1+2)).
-->
 
==The equation is not ambiguous ==
===6÷2(1+2) is not equal to 6÷2*(1+2)===
Standing alone, 6 will always equal 6 and 2(1+2) will also always equal 6, so dividing these two terms will always equal 1.
 
We would not write 2(a+b) as (2(a+b)), nor can we re-write the given equation as 6÷2*(a+b) and maintain the same value. We can however, rewrite the full equation to include an explicit multiplier if we take care to maintain the grouping with additional bracketing 6÷(2*(a+b)).
 
Granted, the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210417145938/https://www.wyzant.com/resources/blogs/14831/the_obelus_for_division obelus (÷)] is an archaic symbol for division, it visually represents a fraction with one dot being the numerator and the other being the denominator. Computers use the forward slash for division because the standard keyboard does not have an obelus key.
 
* 2(1+2) is understood to be a function, placing this function anywhere in a larger equation must always resolve to the same value. The equation, 6÷2(1+2)=? is illustrative to why we cannot substitute explicit multiplication for implied multiplication without additional bracketing, in other words, 6÷2(1+2) is not equal to 6÷2*(1+2).
==Correctly solving left to right==
If we insist on a left to right solution, ignoring both PEMDAS and the Distributive Law, we can do this by expressing the common divisorfirst. However, division is sustained and must be applied to everything to the right of the explicit division operator.
::''6÷2(1+2)=?''
::''3÷3=1''
When we reduce by the common divisor, this does not complete the division operation, division it simply reduces the coefficient to one. Division must be applied to both the factor and the coefficientof the parenthetical expression. Division  ==The equation is not ambiguous =====6÷2(1+2) is sustained not equal to 6÷2*(1+2)===Standing alone, 6 will always equal 6 and must be applied 2(1+2) will also always equal 6, so dividing these two terms will always equal 1.  We would not write 2(a+b) as (2(a+b)), nor can we re-write the given equation as 6÷2*(a+b) and maintain the same value. We can however, rewrite the full equation to everything include an explicit multiplier if we take care to maintain the parenthetical expression with additional bracketing 6÷(2*(a+b)). === Obelus ===Granted, the right of [https://web.archive.org/web/20210417145938/https://www.wyzant.com/resources/blogs/14831/the_obelus_for_division obelus (÷)] is an archaic symbol for division, it visually represents a fraction with one dot being the numerator and the other being the denominator. Computers use the explicit forward slash for division operatorbecause the standard keyboard does not have an obelus key.  For those who claim that the obelus is outdated, why then is it present on virtually every modern calculator?
== The calculator problem ==
The [https://www.desmos.com/scientific Desmos Scientific Calculator] handles our given equation correctly. The error checking appears to be built into the division key.
Entering the equation into a programming language, or low quality calculator, requires the explicit multiplication symbol and outer parenthesis to maintain value of the groupingparenthetical expression.
'''6÷2(1+2) == 6÷(2*(1+2))'''