90% of People Can’t Solve This Simple Math Problem
It looks easy. No complicated formulas, no advanced algebra—just a short line of numbers and symbols. Yet somehow, this “simple” math problem has left countless people scratching their heads and arguing over the answer online. So why do so many get it wrong?
The Problem That Causes Confusion
These viral math puzzles usually involve basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. At first glance, the solution seems obvious. But the trick lies in how the problem is read—not in the math itself.
Most mistakes happen because people rush.
The Real Issue: Order of Operations
The key to solving these problems correctly is understanding the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS:
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication and Division (left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Many people incorrectly believe multiplication always comes before division or addition always comes after subtraction. In reality, multiplication and division share equal priority, as do addition and subtraction—the direction matters.
Why Our Brains Fall for It
Our brains are wired to look for shortcuts. When we see a math problem, we tend to calculate from left to right or jump to the most familiar pattern. That instinct works most of the time in everyday life—but not in math.
Social media makes it worse. Once someone posts an answer confidently, others follow without checking the rules.
A Simple Example
Consider a typical viral-style problem:
8 + 2 × 5
Many people instinctively add first:
(8 + 2) × 5 = 50
But applying the correct order of operations:
8 + (2 × 5) = 18
The math didn’t change—only the approach did.
Why These Problems Go Viral
They spark debate, challenge confidence, and make people feel strongly that their answer is right. The simplicity is what makes them so effective. If it were complex, people would expect mistakes. Because it’s easy, being wrong feels surprising.
How to Get It Right Every Time
- Slow down
- Look for parentheses
- Apply PEMDAS carefully
- Solve step by step
Double-checking your work often reveals the mistake immediately.
It’s Not About Intelligence
Getting one of these problems wrong doesn’t mean you’re bad at math. It means you’re human. Even experienced adults forget rules they haven’t used regularly since school.
In Summary
The reason 90% of people can’t solve this “simple” math problem isn’t because the math is hard—it’s because the rules are easy to forget. With a little patience and the correct order of operations, the answer becomes clear every time.
