We all know how math equations are capable of breaking down the Internet by going viral because of the fact that no one is able to agree on a single answer. Although many great minds will come together, the calculations do not seem to provide an answer to the problem. We have put together a list of seven such math equations that have gone viral and divided the Internet. Check out the list below and let us know what you think of them;
8 ÷ 2 (2 + 2) = ?
Alright, so is the answer 1 or is it 16? This equation became viral when a Twitter user, @pjmdoll, posted it over the summer. We covered this particular math problem as well. According to Insider, though, those who end up with 1 as the answer are actually relying on an outdated version of the order of operations. You can check out a detailed solving of this math equation from the following video by MindYourDecisions on YouTube.
9 – 3 ÷ 1/3 + 1 = ?
Back in 2016, a study revealed that only 60% of Japanese 20-year-olds were actually able to solve this math equation. The number has dropped from 90% in the 80s. The problem once again stems from the incorrect use of the order of operations. The most common mistake as per Presh Talkwalkar of MindYourDecision is entering 1/3 without using parentheses when you are using a calculator for solving the math equation.
6^2 ÷ 2(3) + 4 = ?
So, is the answer 58 or is it 10? There are two different ways of solving this math equation, and each answer will provide you with a different answer. However, GeniusInsomniac rightly points out that the problem arises because many people tend to mess up the right order of operations. The order is supposed to go like this; parentheses, exponents, multiplication and/or division (whichever comes first), addition and/or subtraction (whichever comes first).
6 – 1 x 0 + 2 ÷ 2 = ?
Presh Talwalker will settle the debate on this math equation once again. This problem also had the Internet divided between the answers of 7 and 1. However, the correct answer is 7, given that you are using the right order of operations.
60 ÷ 5 (7 – 5) = ?
Talkwalker has pointed out that this particular math equation gives different based on the kind of calculator that you use. The correct answer is 24 based on the modern interpretation of PEMDAS/BODMAS.
230 – 220 ÷ 2 = ?
A math Ph.D. professor and Presh Talwalker from MindYourDecisions came up with different answers to this particular math problem. Talkwalker claims that the answer is 2202, whereas the Ph.D. professor says that the answer is 5.
Of course, answers are not always clear cut. Much in the same way that language can be interpreted in different ways, so can math problems.
7 + 7 ÷ 7 + 7 x 7 – 7 = ?
This one is again about the order of the operations.
