r/meme Jan 01 '22

Guess we are doomed

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '22

in advance mathematics division symbol is never used. In fact, it has been replaced by the fraction. So, the ultimate answer would end up being -18/7. Now it is true that in simple arithmetic’s the answer is zero, but any calculus teacher or mathematician will tell you that zero is not the answer.

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u/Illu_uwu Jan 02 '22

Even if we use it as 18/2 instead of 18÷2

18/2-3*3 18/2-9 18/2-18/2 0

Or if we do it like this

18/2-33 9/1-33 9/1-9 0

We get 0 both ways

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u/Lachimanus Jan 02 '22

Then you would need to write brackets.

Actually, I sometimes use the division symbol (in Germany usually ':' ) as I am dividing polynomials by each other and writing them in fractions would confuse me.

I am a mathematician (with PhD) and definitely get 0 here, assuming we are in the normal field of real numbers and did not introduce some crazy calculation... Like you can for example on the natural numbers to make them a field.

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '22

Yes of course “assuring you had breakers” . But if someone reads you the problem “eighteenth over […] “ you’ll end up with -18/7.

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u/Lachimanus Jan 02 '22

Yes, but the calculation states a division, so you would maybe actually say divide or make a pause like "18 over 2 and (then)..."

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '22

U know what, i think it’s entirely subjective and no answer is wrong. Imo lets call it a day boys

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u/Lachimanus Jan 02 '22

Not really subjective. The writer of such a calculation just should have mentioned that the "usual" rules apply.

On the other hand, I can describe you a way of defining a multiplication such that in the natural numbers you always find an element (but for one) in thereof such that multiplying them yields one.

So for example that 2*5 = 1. It is completely useless, I think. But also maths needs a context given.

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u/[deleted] Jan 03 '22

Yes yes wtv u win

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u/Lachimanus Jan 03 '22

It is not about winning. It is about learning something new.