Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: QuadDriver
A lot of people jumped to the conclusion that 2(9+3) = 2*(9+3) but wars have started for less.
If they don't mean the same thing, then why do they give the same answer - I'm all ears ready to learn something new here. Any way you slice it, the answer is the same.
2(9+3) = 24
2*(9+3) = 24
2x(9+3) = 24
It doesn't matter what "symbol" is used to represent multiplication ... it's still multiplication.
No, you aren't willing to learn something new. You don't get that having an expression in isolation is different than if it is included as only part of a larger equation. The three notations you used above come up with the same answer in isolation, but as part of a larger problem they don't because without an "x" or asterisk between the 2 and parentheses you need to use the distributive property. Using the symbol or not does matter, contrary to what you say. But since you aren't willing to learn something new, you won't. It hasn't been just me saying this here, though I'm the most recent.