Mathematicians and Theologians in Interpretation

BODMAS, when Misapplied, Makes A BadMess

A case of a village lad against the Mathematicians, even as a bible student against the Theologians.

What's the answer? Thanks.

I picked 1, but the Mathematicians insist 9. 

Here is the link: https://youtu.be/URcUvFIUIhQ

Let us phrase the question in this simple manner:

Six dollars are divided by two families of three people each, how much does each one get?
(Is this accurately illustrating the question?)

That is, 6 is divided by 2 times of the sum in the parenthesis.

I'm interested in this chiefly because it is so closely related to interpretation, that of rightly dividing the word of truth!

Sing
Let us phrase the question in this simple manner:

Six dollars are divided by two families of three people each, how much does each get?

I really don't mind getting $9! In which case, the other 5 owe me $3 (since there was only $6 to begin with),  if equally borne, each owes me 60 cents. ;-)

I would love WEALTH CREATION through this ingenious algebraic rule, MISAPPLIED!

Just thinking!

Bonnie
Do you have to do the division first because of the rules of algebra?

If so then the answer is 9

Sing
Then 6/2 and (1+2) become unrelated, therefore meaningless and unrelated algebraically.

It is 6÷2(1+2) = 6÷6 = 1

Six is DIVIDED BY 2(1+2)

Six is DIVIDED BY 6 = 1

The answer is 1, but I don't mind getting $9 instead of $1. ;-)

I would love to be paid $9 instead of $1!  ;-)

Bonnie
Parenthesis first 1+2 =3, 6÷2 is 3. Then 3(3) do the multiplication that equals 9. I thought you had to do division and multiplication from left to right. Haha I need to learn more apparently

My calculator also gave me 9. You have to follow the order of operations

Sing

Parenthesis first, so (1 + 2) = (3)

What nearest to that (3)?

It is 2, therefore 2(3) = 6.
6 is divided by 2 times of what is in the parenthesis.

Therefore 6 is divided by 6.

Bonnie

Pemdas is the correct order of things, however, multiplication and division have the same importance, and should still be done left to right.

Please watch the video link I posted on this. He explains it better than I can.

https://youtu.be/URcUvFIUIhQ

What is 6÷2(1+2) = ? The Correct Answer Explained - YouTube

What is 6÷2(1+2) = ? This problem went viral and…

Sing

Thanks. I'm slow and non-progressive! Still an old schoolboy - historical school ;-).

To get 9, it must be written like this (6÷2)(1+2) = 9
(Casio fx-570MS)

Peter

It becomes clearer when written formulaically as 6(1+2) in numerator line and 2 in denominator line. Then it has to be 9. Excel agrees.

Sing

6 is divided by 2 times of 1+2 or

6 is divided by 2 and then multiplied by 3?

Written formulaically it is 6 in the numerator and 2(1+2) in the denominator.
It is 6 is divided by 2 times of (1+2)! Like this:

Joe

The correct answer is 1 when you write out the mathematical expression.

Sun

Remember the aged old rule of thumb taught in primary school decades ago?

BODMAS

6/2*(1+2) = 3*(1+2) = 3*3 = 9

Arithmetic rule. Work down according to the spelt letters. First apply B or bracket;

Then O or of

Then D for division (÷)

Then M or multiplication (x)

Then A for addition (+)

Finally S for subtraction (-)

Note: a(b) also means a x b

6/2 = 3

(1+2) = 3

Thence 6/2 x 3 = 3 x 3 = 9 Q.E.D!

O'gwen

1

Jean
9

Sing

We know 2(1+2) = (1+2)2 = 6

Please tell, is 6÷2(1+2) the same as 6÷(1+2)2?

Thanks.

Sun

Different Sir! The second equation is 4. The first equation equals 9. 

Nevertheless, life still moves on, God willing.

Sing
Let 2(1+2) = (1+2)2 = a.

How can one 6/a = 9 and another 6/a = 4. Now, I'm more confused.

Never mind, I take the $9 and buy some €.

Thanks for the fun!

Joe

We are taught to evaluate anything within or connected with parenthesis first.

Sing

That was the way I was taught too.

So to yank 2, an integral part of the parenthesis, away from (1+2) and have 6 divided by 2 is improper.

It is 6 divided by the whole component of 2(1+2).
It is 6 divided by 2 times the sum of the parenthesis.

It reminds me of the old school theology and the new school theology!

Ordinarily, I don't mind having $9 over $1.

Sing

What is (2+1)2 divided by 6 then, i.e. (2+1)2÷6?

Sun
Let your 6 divides by 2 first. Then multiply the total 2+1 in the bracket. You will have 3 x 3 = 9

Sing
That's "gostang"!! (i.e. reverse, right to left!)

Sun

https://www.google.com/search?q=bodmas&oq=bodmas...

bodmas - Google Search

GOOGLE.COM.PH

Unless my primary teacher bluffed me then, that was what I was taught. On second thought I might already be a mathematician if I had not been taught wrongly. Too late sigh.....

Adam
Isn’t the rule to solve from left to right?

Sing
That’s the rule. It seems that's not the problem here.

The issue is whether 2(1+2) is to be understood as an entity by which 6 is divided. Or 2(1+2) can be broken down into parts and only a part of it is used in an algebraic operation?

Adam
6 must be divided by 2 before you come to the parenthesis

Sing
That's how it is understood.

But I believe it is wrong. 2 is an integral part of the parenthesis component.

6 is divided by 2 times of what constitutes the parenthesis.

Let me try to demonstrate.

Let 6 = x, and 2(1+2) = y

Then we have x divided by y = 9.

Let's now divide y by x. Logically the answer is 1/9.

2(1+2) divided by 6 = ???

The answer is not 1/9 but 1.

This indicates that 6÷2(1+2) = 1.

The reverse, that 2(1+2)÷6 = 1 also.

It is suggested that 2(1+2) ought to be written as (1+2)2, and then 6 must be divided by 2 first (just ignore the Bodmas left-to-right rule); that will give us 3.
That is, (1+2)2÷6 = (3)3 = 9; it is not 1/9

Applying BODMAS correctly, we have,
(1+2)2÷6 = (3)2÷6 = (3 x 2)÷6 = 6÷6 = 1
This shows that if a÷b = 1, then b÷a = 1 too. 

$9 is definitely better than $1 at the current dismay exchange rate for ringgit.

Today €1 = RM5.068.  It was RM4.71 in May.   :-(

Sing

I dug out my OLD scientific calculator - a Casio fx-350MS (the previous one is fx-570MS)

It says 6÷ 2(1+2) = 1

I just thought it is SO OBVIOUS - 6 is divided by 2 times of (1+2).

Maybe it is an OLD SCHOOL calculator used by an old school boy!

If it shows 9, I probably will throw out that calculator! ;-)

Sing

Let’s consider these…
1(1+5) = 2(1+2) = 3(1+1) = 4(1+0.5) = 5(1+0.2) = 6(1+0) = 6

But applying the BODMAS rule the wrong way, we get these results even though 6 is divided by the exact same value.

6 ÷ 1(1+5) = 36

6 ÷ 2(1+2) = 9

6 ÷ 3(1+1) = 4

6 ÷ 4(1+0.5) = 2.25

6 ÷ 5(1+0.2) = 1.44

6 ÷ 6(1+0) = 1

Now I appreciate why the same Scriptures is divided in so many diverse ways!

Sing

Let's make it VERY SIMPLE...
I will settle for $1 and have the truth, instead of $9 and sacrifice it! 

 

The popular 5-solas

The popular 5 solas

What do they mean to you?

I understand like this - very briefly.

Scriptures alone:

This declares the inspired Scriptures as the only infallible and inerrant source of all knowledge of God, and His works of creation, redemption, and providence, and the duty man owe to Him.

Grace alone: 

This declares the manner in which God, through His Spirit, bestows the eternal salvation, which He had purposed for His elect and which Christ has accomplished for the same on the cross, to each elect personally.

Faith alone:

This declares the manner in which God's children - i.e. those elect whom God has freely by His grace justified, regenerated and adopted and bestowed the Spirit of adoption to dwell in them - can experience the salvation that has been freely bestowed upon them by God's grace. "The just shall live by faith"; it's not "by faith, the condemned shall be justified." The former is the Bible truth, the latter a lie from the pit of hell.

Christ alone: 

This declares that Jesus Christ is the basis and ground of the eternal salvation of His people. It is by His righteousness (through his perfect obedience to the laws of God) that God freely justifies condemned sinners, and by His substitutionary death that God freely forgive their sins.

Glory to God alone:

This declares that since God alone purposed our eternal redemption for His elect, and Christ alone accomplished the same for all given to Him, and the Spirit of God and of Christ alone applies that redemption to each elect personally at God's own appointed and approved time when they are dead in trespasses and sin, glory indeed belong to God alone.


God alone brought each of them into BEING as His children, perfectly fitted for eternal glory; He ordained the ministry for the WELLBEING of His children.

God alone, in Christ and through His own Spirit, has ordained the gospel ministry for the temporal good of those whom He has sovereignly and freely saved. Christ alone gives His own church pastors and teachers to minister to His redeemed 

So, glory to God alone, yes and indeed. Amen, and Amen.

Thanks for allowing me to speak. 

Your turn. No shibboleth permitted.

Trust the Faith Of Christ Jesus too!

People should put their trust in nothing but Jesus Christ alone,
including His faithfulness in securing the righteousness
needed for their justification before God.

That's a great declaration on Christ alone!

But Martin Luther COMPLETELY missed one crucial point by contradicting himself, and worse, the Scriptures by his "sola fidei."

A condemned man's justification is by the faith of Christ Jesus, His faithfulness in securing the perfect righteousness for us; a condemned man's justification is by the faith OF Jesus Christ, and NOT by a man's faith IN Christ Jesus.

Luther taught the latter - the popular sola fidei that has infected the whole Christian Church.

Rom 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.

Sin is the transgression of the law and brings condemnation; righteousness is by obedient to the law and is the prerequisite for justification of a condemned man before God. This is basic.

The righteousness of God's provision for the justification of condemned sinners is through the FAITHFULNESS of Christ Jesus in rendering full and perfect obedience to the law. Scriptures state that plainly.

Modern translations have perverted such passages into "by faith IN Jesus Christ..."

Believing is a man's good deed, his deed of righteousness, a work God requires of His children. Read John 6:28-29.