If you have been stumped by that viral math equation, you are not alone.
The recent tweet that made the internet scratch their heads and then scratch their heads some more.
Twitter user @pmjdoll posted a equation that seemed fairly easy and asked the world to solve it.
The equation is 8/2(2+2) = ?
Seems simple enough right?
Well, the internet was torn on the answer being 16 and 1. So which one was right?
Well the answer to that question lies in one word: geography.
There are two predominant methods of solving simple equations. PEDMAS (Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) and BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction).
So the answer you get will depend on which method you were taught.
One user shared their thoughts, explaining: “since part of the world teaches PEMDAS and part teaches BODMAS algebra can be quite confusing at times…”
While another user further explained:
“You need to see the how bracket is created. There can be two cases:
Case 1:
8 ÷ 2 x (2+2) = 8 ÷ 2 x 4 = 4 x 4 = 16
Case 2 (Given case):
8 ÷ 2(2+2) = 8 ÷ 2(4) = 8 ÷ 8 = 1
RULE is STEP-BY-STEP following of BODMAS (Bracket, Of, Divide, Multiply, Add, Subtract) Hope it helps!”