# Difference between Omitting the multiplication sign and keeping it [duplicate]

This question already has an answer here:

What is the difference between 2*a and 2a? What is the difference between 2(3+4) and 2*(3+4)?

We all know that omitting the multiplication sign still means multiplication so nothing changed!

This question is related to a well-known mathematical debate as follows: 6/2(1+2) If we use the rule of order of operation which states that : Parentheses first, exponents next, multiplication and division from left to right and finally addition and subtraction from left to right The result will be 9 However, some would say that 6/2(1+2) is like 6/(2(1+2))

Having mentioned that they would say what is the result of 9a^2/3a?

I know this question might be "duplicate" or whatever... But I really searched a lot and didn't find a satisfying answer.

Is 3a the same as 3*a or (3*a)?

So 9a^2/3a = (9*a^2) / (3*a) Or 9*a^2/3*a

## marked as duplicate by user21820, muaddib, Sharkos, Moishe Kohan, kingW3Jan 29 '18 at 20:02

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

• "This question is related to a well-known mathematical debate ". The relevance, significance, and notoriety of this so called debate is vastly overstated by novices. There is no debate or issue. If you define things to be the same then they are the same no matter how we write them out. And we did define them to be the same. – fleablood Jan 29 '18 at 1:30
• I wrote "debate" because so many people argued about which answer is correct! We are in front of two answers 1 and 9 each answer has its own point of view which has been disscussed in the question. I don't think you read the whole question! – Yousef Essam Jan 29 '18 at 1:34