LifestyleAdults are stumped, and kids excel. The internet-dividing math riddle solved

Adults are stumped, and kids excel. The internet-dividing math riddle solved

Can you provide the correct result of the equation?
Can you provide the correct result of the equation?
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Lukasz Calko

12:22 PM EST, January 8, 2024

Mathematical puzzles and logical riddles are becoming increasingly popular on the internet. These brain teasers are an excellent way to test your problem-solving skills and remind you of basic math rules learned during school days.

This particular riddle, however, is proving to be quite challenging for web surfers. The answers primarily oscillate between 165 and 21, but there can only be one correct solution. Do you think you can decipher it?

The Significance of Sequence in Solving Equations

Before you embark on the quest to solve this riddle, remember the fundamental rules related to the sequence of performing arithmetic functions. This basic understanding might be common knowledge to primary school students, but adults often forget it.

Initially, you must address the operations within brackets, followed by exponentiation. Next, you can tackle multiplication and division, culminating with addition and subtraction. Operations with equivalent priority should be executed from left to right.

The Math Conundrum Dividing the Internet

The equation 3(5+20:2x5)= ? was proposed on the YouTube platform via the Math John Zimmerman channel. The brain behind the video is a veteran math teacher who posed this challenging math puzzle to internet users.

Many attempted to solve it, primarily landing on either 165 or 21. Thus, it demonstrates that many people have forgotten the operational precedence rule, leading them to the erroneous answer of 21. The teacher promptly clarified how the equation could be solved correctly.

Cracking the Equation

The correct answer is 165. If you're puzzled about this, read on to comprehend the solution.

3(5 + 20:2x5)= ?

Which becomes 3(5 +10x5)= ?

And further simplifies to 3(5 +50) = ?

Resulting in 3(55) = 165

Were you able to arrive at the correct answer?