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Math quandary perplexes web visitors... can you crack this sixth-grade puzzle?

Solve a straightforward math equation's answer, discover the solution process below.

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2 min read
Solve the given math problem's solution, unveiled below, along with the steps to reach it.
Solve the given math problem's solution, unveiled below, along with the steps to reach it.

Math quandary perplexes web visitors... can you crack this sixth-grade puzzle?

The Head-Scratching Math Problem:

Is PEMDAS a forgotten concept from your elementary school days? Seems like it! A basic math problem posted on X left many adults puzzled.

Here's the question that stumped the internet:

'Got this for you! Can you crack it?' one X user asked their followers, presenting this equation: 16 - 4 ÷ 4 - 4.

The chat section exploded, some users claiming the answer was 11, while others sticking to -1. A few even suggested 12, some 0, one opted for 13, and another came up with 6.

So, how do you solve it? You need to dive deep into your memory banks for that old friend, PEMDAS. It stands for the order of mathematical operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

To crack the code, start by resolving what's in the parentheses. So, can you solve the sixth-grade math problem before we reveal the answer?

Remember: PEMDAS comes first, then you move along. The correct answer is 11. Let's break it down together!

  1. Four gets divided by itself because division comes before subtraction in PEMDAS. Four divided by four equals one, now making the problem 16 - 1 - 4.
  2. Next up, simple subtraction. 16 - 1 = 15, then 15 - 4 equals 11. And voila, the answer to the tricky problem is 11.

Those who landed on -1 likely mixed up the order, starting with subtraction instead of division. Had you started with subtraction, you'd end up with 12 ÷ 4 - 4.

12 ÷ 4 equals 3, and 3 - 4 equals -1. The math conundrum was posted on X, and opinions on the correct answer were divided.

Users who came up with 12, 0, 13, or 6 may have gotten their subtraction and division wrong.

Ready for a challenge? Try solving these equations: 19 - 12 ÷ 3 + 1 or 10 × 2 ÷ 4 − 2. Give it a go, and let's see how you fare!

Additional Insights:

Despite being a fundamental principle in mathematics, there is no specific data available on how many Americans still remember PEMDAS in adulthood. School lessons teach PEMDAS as a tool to remember the order of operations, but retention and consistent application can vary widely among individuals. To gain more insights, surveys or studies focused on adult mathematical literacy could be a starting point for understanding how well Americans maintain their mathematical skills through the years.

  1. The bewildering math problem, shared on X, highlighted a common forgetfulness regarding PEMDAS, a concept learned in elementary school.
  2. The solution to the problem, 16 - 4 ÷ 4 - 4, was derived correctly by following the order specified in PEMDAS, leading to the answer of 11.
  3. Incorrect answers given by some adults, such as -1, likely resulted from confusion about the sequence of operations in PEMDAS, starting with subtraction instead of division.
  4. To enhance understanding about the retention of PEMDAS in adulthood, surveys or studies focused on adult mathematical literacy could be conducted to better assess Americans' mathematical skills and the impact of education-and-self-development opportunities on these skills over the years.

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