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Original poster

40+40x0+1 ?

539 replies

minimuffy · 09/11/2011 19:48

40 + 40 x 0 + 1 =

A- 1
B- 41
c- 0

I say its B-41 as you need to multiply then add. (from what i remember of standard grade maths the acroymym BOMDAS- brackets off, multiply, divide, add, subtract)

DH says its 1.

please tell he's wrong!

OP posts:
Dillydaydreaming · 09/11/2011 20:47

It's 1 isn't it???

PacificDogwood · 09/11/2011 20:47

A -1 natch

Multiplication before addition always, unless brackets dictate otherwise.

Is there actually an accredited answer to this??

LeBOF · 09/11/2011 20:46

Ah, I see, thank you. I've never come across that before.

LiegeAndLief · 09/11/2011 20:46

Excel (which I just happened to have open, am supposed to be working) says it is 41.

For all the reasons outlined above.

Case closed.

coastgirl · 09/11/2011 20:45

The asterix is just a multiplication sign - used to avoid confusion with x (if you're writing an equation, for example).

Original poster
minimuffy · 09/11/2011 20:45

multiply is also indicatd by an asterix

OP posts:
wildspinning · 09/11/2011 20:44

Maths is so fab!

The answer is of course 41.

Am gobsmacked by the fact that there is even a debate about this and that the debate runs to 7 pages! I'm sure in Finland or China every educated person could answer this simple question. Maths teaching is not good enough in the UK by a long shot.

LeBOF · 09/11/2011 20:43

What does the asterix mean in that context?

OhYouBadBadkitten · 09/11/2011 20:42

exactly Jux and if there arent brackets you can't just randomly invent them.

Jux · 09/11/2011 20:40

These days it's BIDMAS.....
Brackets
Indices
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction

First, multiply 40 by 0 =0
Add 40 to 0 = 40
add 1 to 40 = 41.

Type it into Wolfram. It'll tell you 41.

You could however write it thusly: (40 + 40) * 0 + 1 = 1, but only with those brackets there.

hubbard86 · 09/11/2011 20:39

a.1 as any number times by 0 is 0

Original poster
minimuffy · 09/11/2011 20:38

fastweb that appears to be the stuff of nightmares! i shall not sleep tonight!

OP posts:
LordOfTheFlies · 09/11/2011 20:37

I've just asked DS (12 yo old in Yr 7)

He says 41 because you multiply first, then add.
(I thought it was 1, so did DH)
DS gave me the "don't you know anything muvver" look Confused

OhYouBadBadkitten · 09/11/2011 20:36

others faster than me - am watching masterchef at the same time (poncey dish being cooked)

ColdSancerre · 09/11/2011 20:36

Wee men with semaphore flags :o priceless.

ArthurMcAffertyhastwocats · 09/11/2011 20:35

Oops..

Multiply first. Then treat whatever the answer (40 x 0 = 0) is as part of the sum. 40 + 1.

Hulababy · 09/11/2011 20:35

Argh - I, of course, mean 41!

following rules of operation!

coastgirl · 09/11/2011 20:35

No, sorry, (40 + 40) x 0 + 1 would be 1, not 81! Doh.

OhYouBadBadkitten · 09/11/2011 20:35

sure :)

40 + 40 x 0 + 1

no brackets
no squaring or square roots or what not.
So next it is division or multiplication. You only multiply the numbers on either side of the x so 40x0=0
so now you have 40 + 0 + 1 = 41

LeBOF · 09/11/2011 20:35

Right, I think I get it now, thank you Thanks

Hulababy · 09/11/2011 20:34

1

follow BODMAS rules of operation

lazydog · 09/11/2011 20:34

Definitely 41.

You always have to work out anything in brackets first (in this case, there are none), then calculate the result of any powers/exponents/orders (again, none here), then division (none), multiplication (40*0=0), then addition (40+0+1=41) and lastly subtraction (of which there's also none in this expression.)

Therefore the answer is 41.

gamerwidow · 09/11/2011 20:34

To break the sum down there are no brackets or indices so you do the multiplication section first i.e. 40 x 0 =0
Once this is done you look do the addition bits i.e.
40 + 0 + 1 = 41

fastweb · 09/11/2011 20:34

Agree it's 41.

Have had enough practice, given that we are and my sister I am trying to work out the answers in advance.

ArthurMcAffertyhastwocats · 09/11/2011 20:34

Agree with those posters wondering why we are debating
It. Fair enough if you don't know or don't understand but don't quibble. There aren't any brackets so you multi

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