Hey there, fellow baby boomers! Remember the days when we’d solve math problems in our heads, relying on our trusty arithmetic skills? Well, here’s a little brain – teaser that’ll take you back.
Take a look at this equation on the screen: “14 – 6 + 4 × 2 =?” with the reminder “Don’t use calculator”. It’s a throwback to the times before smartphones and digital calculators became ubiquitous.
Let’s solve it step – by – step using the order of operations we learned way back in school (PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division first, then Addition and Subtraction).
First, we focus on the multiplication part: 4 × 2. We know that 4 times 2 equals 8.
Now our equation becomes 14 – 6 + 8.
Next, we do the subtraction and addition from left to right. 14 – 6 is 8, and then 8 + 8 gives us 16.
So, the answer to “14 – 6 + 4 × 2” is 16.
Solving these kinds of problems is not just about getting the right answer. It’s a great way to keep our minds active, sharpen our cognitive skills, and have a bit of fun reminiscing about our school days. It’s amazing how those old math lessons still come in handy. Keep challenging your brain with these little exercises, and you’ll be surprised at how much it helps keep you sharp. After all, we boomers know that a healthy mind is key to a fulfilling life.