Since childhood, we’ve always loved a good brain teaser. We grew up reading Where’s Waldo? books and putting together puzzles. It’s hard to resist a good riddle, challenging crossword, or math problem.
Now using the internet, brain games, riddles, puzzles, and optical illusions are spread around the world much faster. They cause frustration, confusion, and triumph in every household or friend group they make it into. The latest of these is a seemingly simple math problem that’s stumping even self-proclaimed math aficionados.
Can you solve this math problem without a calculator?
Let’s be honest: Math isn’t many of our strong suits. Anytime we need to do some quick math, be it calculating a tip or how many pounds your 50-kg baggage allowance is at the airport, you have to whip out my phone-calculator.
For many of us, it has been years since we have thought about the rules of mental math. See if you can figure out the answer to the equation below. The answer is below, but don’t peek until you’ve tried!
The correct answer is…
… drum roll please …
…104
Remember what you learned in fifth grade math
If you didn’t get the correct answer, you’re not alone. As already mentioned, clearly many of us have forgotten the rules of basic math.
It’s time to think way back to grade school. What rules did your teacher give you in regards to the order in which equations like this are completed? (Hint: there’s an acronym that may help you out!) Use that and go try again.
The Order of Operations for solving math equations
Still struggling? Don’t forget the acronym for the Order of Operations: BEDMAS (or PEMDAS or BODMAS – depending on where in the world you are from).
P – parentheses
E – exponents
M – multiplication
D – division
A – addition
S – subtraction
B – brackets
E – exponents
D – division
M – multiplication
A – addition
S – subtraction
Now go back and try again using BEDMAS and see if you get the right answer.
Send this article to your family and friends to see if they can get it right. Happy calculations!
Looking for some more math problems and brain teasers? Check these out:
The simple puzzle that’s exposing how bad everyone is at math
The seemingly basic math test driving the internet crazy
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Can you tell what time it is from this image?
