My thought process: if I had 8÷(4+4) = 1 and factored out a 2, I get 8÷2(2+2) = 1. However, if I say 2(2+2) = 2*(2+2), then 8÷2(2+2) = 8÷2*(2+2) = 1, BUT 8÷2*(2+2) = 16.
Please help I’m feeling dumber by the second
In: Mathematics
This factoring …
8÷(4+4) == 8÷2*(2+2)
is faulty. Taking just 4+4 (without the parens)…
4+4 = 2(2+2) – this is correct, factoring out the 2, creates a NEW set of parens. You must ALSO preserve the original set of parens in the whole equation…
(4+4) = (2*(2+2))…
So the whole thing is …
8÷(2*(2+2)) = 8÷(2*(4)) = 8÷(8) = 1
Yes, the ÷ symbol is often confusing, but the / symbol just means the exact same thing and can be just as confusing.
This is easier…
8 8 8 8
—– = ———- = ———- = ——– = 1
4+4 2*(2+2) 2*(4) 8
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