Math problems can be tricky, especially when they involve rules that many people tend to overlook. This viral equation has left countless people scratching their heads, with 80% failing to get the correct answer. Think you can solve it?
Take a deep breath, grab a pen and paper, and let’s break it down step by step.
The Puzzle That’s Causing Confusion
Here’s the equation that’s testing people’s math skills:
48 ÷ 2(9 + 3) = ?
It looks simple, right? But don’t be fooled—many people get the wrong answer because they don’t follow the correct order of operations.
Before you rush to solve it, let’s go over some common mistakes and why so many people struggle with this problem.
Why Do 80% of People Get This Wrong?
There’s a reason why this equation is so controversial—it plays on common misunderstandings about mathematical operations. Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make:
1. Ignoring Parentheses
One of the most fundamental rules in math is solving what’s inside the parentheses first. Some people mistakenly ignore this step or rush ahead with multiplication and division before handling the parentheses.
2. Misunderstanding the Order of Operations
Many people learned PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) in school. However, a common misconception is that multiplication always comes before division, which is incorrect.
In reality, multiplication and division should be performed from left to right, just like reading a sentence. The same applies to addition and subtraction.
3. Misinterpreting Implicit Multiplication
Some people see the 2(9 + 3) and assume that implicit multiplication (when a number is placed next to parentheses) takes precedence over division. This misunderstanding leads to an incorrect result.
Now that we’ve covered the common errors, let’s solve the equation the right way.
Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Solve the Parentheses
The first step is to handle the numbers inside the parentheses:
9 + 3 = 12
Now, the equation becomes:
48 ÷ 2(12)
Step 2: Handle Multiplication and Division From Left to Right
This is where many people make a mistake. According to PEMDAS/BODMAS, we perform division and multiplication in the order they appear from left to right.
First, divide:
48 ÷ 2 = 24
Now, multiply:
24 × 12 = 288
Thus, the correct answer is 288.
Why Some People Think the Answer Is 2
Some people mistakenly group the equation as:
48 ÷ [2(12)]
This would mean dividing 48 by 24, which results in 2. However, this is incorrect because there are no additional parentheses indicating that 2 and 12 should be grouped together.
The correct way to read the equation is:
48 ÷ 2 × 12, following the left-to-right rule.
What This Equation Teaches Us
This tricky equation highlights the importance of understanding how order of operations really works. It’s a great reminder that:
- Parentheses come first, always.
- Multiplication and division are equal in priority and must be solved from left to right.
- Implicit multiplication (like 2(12)) does not override division unless explicitly grouped with parentheses.
Try It Yourself
Did you get 288 or were you one of the many who answered 2? Let us know in the comments!
If you enjoy challenging puzzles like this, keep testing your math skills with more problems. The more you practice, the sharper your logic and problem-solving abilities will become.
Think you can outsmart another tricky math problem? Stay tuned for more!
