An apparently easy-looking math problem has left internet users scratching their heads.
The elementary-grade problem looks simple enough to solve in seconds, but has tripped up the masses.
The basic equation shared by @BholanathDutta, who regularly posts brainteasers, is 20 – 4 X 3 +12 = 20.
The problem was posted with the challenge, ‘Solve this!?’, though it appears many people have been left stumped.
The first thing to remember is the order of operations acronym, PEMDAS, which stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction.
Anything inside parentheses (P) should be worked out first. Secondly, exponents (E) should be addressed.
Next should be multiplication and division (MD), but multiplication does not necessarily have to come before division. The correct method is to address them from left to right as they are written in the equation.
Lastly, addition and subtraction (AS). When only those two operations remain, the sum can be solved from left to right because the order makes no difference.
Can you solve this seemingly simple math equation?
Even with these rules, social media users struggled to agree on an answer, offering a range of suggestions, though only one was correct.
Can you solve it in 30 seconds or less?
If you answered 60, you are not alone – but sadly, you are incorrect.
Similarly, if you calculated the answer to be -4, that is also wrong.
The correct answer is 20.
How do you find it?
Following the tried-and-true PEMDAS method, you begin by multiplying -4 and 3, which equals -12.
This leaves you with the slightly simplified equation of 20 – 12 + 12.
When addition and subtraction is all that is left, the order in which they are done does not matter.
After following PEMDAS, the correct answer is 20
After subtracting 12 from 20, you get 8. Finally, you are left with 8 + 12, which equals 20.
But if you were to add -12 and 12, which equals 0, and then add 0 and 20, you would still get the correct answer.
Did you solve this elementary math problem correctly?
