Just when I thought I was getting better at math...

[shadowkat]

This

Post by Power 95.3.

made me scratch my head.


7 + 7 divided by 7 +7 x7 -7.

The correct answer is apparently 50.

IF you do it this way: 7+7 =14 divided by 7 =2
2 +7 = 9, 9* 7 =63, 63-7 = 56.

If you do it by calculator = 56

If you do it by Excel = 50

Apparently it is supposed to be 7x7= 49 /7 = 1, then 1+7+7 -7 = 8.
Which still makes no sense. So, it must be = 7x7/7 =1, then 7+7+7 =21 +1
Still makes no sense. I remain puzzled.

This is why I hate math.

Comments

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, math is tricky that way. Do the calculations in the wrong order and you can end up anywhere...

One of my favourite stumpers:

Three salesmen share a hotel room costing $25/night. The next morning, they each hand the bellboy a $10 note. He runs down to the reception with the $30, gets $5 in change keeps $2 as a tip and hands $1 in change to each salesman.

So each salesman paid $9, times 3 = $27. Plus $2 for the bellboy, making a total of $29.

...Where did the thirtieth dollar go?

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

There is no thirtieth dollar.

Each Salesman paid $9. $10 spent, with $1 returned as change) $25 of those dollars went to the hotel, and $2 went to the Bellboy.

The text of the last sentence makes it appear as if the 2 dollars should be added to the 27, when it is actually split out....

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

I know, but it sounds like it makes sense... It's a deliberate mislead.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Explains why mathematical word problems always confused me. ;-)