The Math Puzzle That’s Stumping the Internet: Can You Solve It?
Math was never my favorite subject. I was always more into daydreaming and diving into books. But then, I discovered the intriguing world of statistics, and suddenly, numbers began to make sense.
I’m not alone in this shift from math skeptic to enthusiast. Recently, an old math problem has resurfaced online, and it’s causing quite a stir. Although it first appeared in 2016, it’s back in the spotlight, baffling people everywhere.
The Problem
At first glance, the problem seems simple:
8÷2(2+2)8 ÷ 2(2 + 2)8÷2(2+2)
However, this seemingly straightforward equation is tripping up many due to outdated methods from our school days.
Order of Operations
To solve this, we need to remember the order of operations, often recalled through acronyms like PEMDAS or BODMAS, or the phrase “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.” This means we handle:
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction
The initial step of resolving parentheses is clear-cut and doesn’t cause much debate. But it’s the next step that sparks controversy.
Modern Interpretation
Modern calculators interpret parentheses as implying multiplication. Since multiplication and division are treated with equal importance, we proceed from left to right. Following this, many reach the answer of 9.
The Controversy
However, some argue that the answer should be 1. This debate is fueled by historical methods of solving equations. Before 1917, division was understood differently: you’d divide the entire left side by the entire right side, changing the approach.
This historical perspective was likely influenced by typesetting constraints, making division symbols simpler than writing out complex fractions or multiple parentheses.
Conclusion
While today’s standard solution is 9, this historical insight suggests that 1 was once a plausible answer. The video from MindYourDecisions on this topic has over 11 million views, proving that even a simple math puzzle can ignite a significant discussion.
Check It Out
Check out the video below for an in-depth look and see if you can solve the puzzle!
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