Did you get it right?
This blackboard puzzle asks you to solve 18 – 3 x 4 + 2 = ?. Slow down and follow the order of operations.
The Answer
The correct answer is: The answer is 8..
Here is why
- Handle parentheses first if there are any.
- Do multiplication and division before addition or subtraction.
- Following those rules gives 8.
Why people miss it
The tempting mistake is to read the problem from left to right too quickly.
What answer did you get before checking?