A tricky maths question has divided the internet – 11 calculated responses
Maths is one of those strange things that makes people proudly proclaim that they can’t do it, as though that’s somehow a good thing because it means they’re not one of those weird number-loving nerds you sometimes see on Countdown. But that doesn’t stop the internet being heavily invested in solving number puzzles when they rock by.
This one recently had social media scratching its head – with a pencil, of course.
oomfies solve this pic.twitter.com/0RO5zTJjKk
— em ♥︎ (@pjmdolI) July 28, 2019
It turned out to be the third most divisive thing we’ve ever seen – pun intended – after Brexit and the order in which to dollop jam and cream onto a scone.
There were two prominent camps:
Those insisting the answer is 1 …
1.
i do parenthesis, multiplication, then division so i believe it’s 1
— em ♥︎ (@pjmdolI) July 28, 2019
2.
It’s 1. Blowing my mind how people are really debating this it’s fucking 3rd grade math
— jon vag (@yanni_v14) July 30, 2019
3.
8÷2(2×2) = 8÷2(4) = 8÷8 = 1
= Answer is 1.Solved Via "BODMAS" Rule :
(B racket)
O( f )
D÷ ivision
M x ultiplication
A+ dditional
S-ubtraction pic.twitter.com/tu64P3eUyg— Anant (@HumourouslyMe) July 30, 2019
And the equally convinced cheerleaders for 16.
4.
(2+2) = 4
8/2 = 4
4(4) = 16— em! (@jimnlvr) July 28, 2019
5.
8/2(2+2)
8/2(4)
Yes, you do use PEMDAS, but because division comes first in this equation, you divide first.
4(4)
16— naomi (@mikrogguki) July 29, 2019
6.
it’s 16 omg the replies embarrassing…
— mark day ✰ (@gcfssea) July 28, 2019
Nobody was taking it lightly.
7.
1. The amount of people saying 16 need to retake math 😭
— JKOurEuphoria (@JungKookQueen97) July 28, 2019
8.
People really out here saying 1…all my hope in humanity is lost 😪
— Andres 🇨🇴 (@aandres389) July 30, 2019
Cheating wasn’t an option …
9.
Wait… https://t.co/0xaE4dJuTz pic.twitter.com/9DwOQSzqq5
— LUZZZ (@celestiallight_) July 30, 2019
10.
We’re doomed. https://t.co/Xa22IhZrnh
— Dan Abramov (@dan_abramov) July 31, 2019
One camp had the edge …
11.
be smart
— jess (@neworIean) July 30, 2019
But, if you want to know the real answer, scroll down …
Aaaaand the answer is:
Both 1 and 16 are correct answers because the notation of the equation is incorrect. Can everyone stfu now? https://t.co/N5SFpSyewH
— ᴋᴏᴏᴋᴀᴅᴏᴏᴋs (@bstpeach) July 30, 2019
Yep. Both can be correct, because it’s either a badly worded question, or a brilliantly worded question specifically designed to drive the internet to distraction. In which case, mission accomplished.
Read more:
This maths hack taking the pain out of percentages is blowing people’s minds
