[Vipper]

Agree....

8/2(2+2)
8/2(4)
4(4)

Result 16

[RoosterRedux]

Not 8 times whatever but 8 divided by whatever.

[buffyt]

I agree with this one, will ask Mr Math Genius

[rdl6989]

That’s what I got.

[Notthemomma]

“8/2(2+2)
8/2(4)
4(4)

Result 16”

Wrong.
Even if you choose to do operations from left to right, the multiplication or division is against EVERYTHING AFTER THE OPERATION SIGN until you get to addition or subtraction signs outside of brackets or parentheses (or powers)

8/2(4) = (8/2)/4 = 4/4 = 1
That’s the same as
8/2(4) = 8/[(2)(4)] = 8/8 = 1
but the brackets are understood not to be needed.

In contrast, 8/2+4 = (8/2) + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8
and
8/(2+4) = 8/6 = 1 1/3

Or, go backward, and remember that division is the same as multiplication by 1 over the item you’re dividing by:

1 = 8/8 = 8/(2)(4) = (8/1)[1/{(2)(4)}] = (8/1)(1/2)(1/4)

To write it they way you’re implying it should be interpreted would be
(8/2)(4).