Some people love math and they would jump at the opportunity to try a difficult math problem, even one that seems impossible. Other people go running and screaming in the other direction when math is mentioned.
Regardless of which side you happen to fall on, you will find the simple mathematical equation that follows to be interesting. It was somewhat of a brainteaser, and social media often circulates the problem to see what answers people come up with.
6÷2 (1+2) = ?
To some, this may look like a rather straightforward question but that being said, the question has resulted in a lot of debate and confusion.
One of the reasons why it is so difficult to answer is because of the way that the order of operations is explained. If you use the historical understanding of division, for example, you may come up with an answer that is incorrect by today’s standards.
The PEMDAS rule comes into play. That stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division, and addition/subtraction. It should also be noted that while the operations are in the same problem, they are solved from left to right.
This may make you wonder how this equation is solved.
6÷2 (1+2) = ?
What was your answer?
If you came up with the answer 9, you are correct. Here’s why.
First of all, you would do what is inside of the parentheses. 1+2 = 3.
6÷2 x 3 = ?
Now you would start working from the left.
6÷2 = 3
3 x 3 = 9
Did you get it right?