Are You Up For A Math Challenge? Try Solving This Equation

It is usually stated that a number of the hardest math riddles are the simplest, now one such math puzzle has netizens in flux. If you want to check your arithmetic prowess or simply want a great previous arithmetic equation to problem your mind, then here’s a puzzle for you: “36 ÷ 6 x 8 – 9″. As one can tell this one-line equation has multiple operations within it, including division, multiplication, and subtraction. Like all disciples, maths also runs on a set of rules, known as Order of Operations, that determine how to approach an equation in a systematic manner. One such Order of Operation is DMAS. DMAS is the short form of: Divide, Multiply, Add, Subtract. If you need a hint to solve the above-mentioned equation then just follow the order of DMAS.

Here is how the equation will be solved using DMAS: first divide 36 with six and put the quotient into the equation, this way you will end up with 6 (quotient) x 8 – 9. Next, multiply 6 and 8 and put the product in the puzzle. Now, you have 48 (product) – 9. As a final step, do the subtraction. The answer is 39.

If your answer was right, then pat your back for remembering some of the most common Orders of Operations in maths. If your answer was wrong, then maybe it is time to revisit some of the fundamentals of mathematics.

This is not the first time that an arithmetic equation has confused the netizens. In 2019, a maths equation went viral as people debated about its correct answer. The equation was 8 ÷ 2 (2+2) = ?.

The two most popular answers were 1 or 16. The bone of contention came at the second step of the equation after the parentheses were solved and the equation became 8 ÷ 2 (4). Some argued that one needs to do multiplication first, in which case the answer was 1, while others argued that one needs to do division first, this way the answer became 16.

However, as per BoDMAS, which stands for Bracket, Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction, or PEDMAS, which stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction, the second reasoning was correct. This meant after the bracket was solved, one needed to do the division. This way the correct answer was 16.