A seemingly elementary arithmetic equation has caused a significant stir across social media this week, leaving thousands of users scratching their heads and debating the correct solution.
The Equation That Caused Chaos
The problem, 16 ÷ 4 X 4 - 4, was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by user @BholanathaDutta. What appeared to be a straightforward calculation for primary school students quickly revealed a widespread confusion over a fundamental mathematical principle taught in algebra classes. The core issue lies not in the numbers themselves, but in the order in which the operations should be performed.
The Golden Rule: Remembering PEMDAS
The key to unlocking the correct answer is the six-letter acronym PEMDAS, a mnemonic device for the order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. Many recall it through the phrase 'Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally'.
According to this rule, you must first solve any calculations inside parentheses (P), then tackle exponents (E). The next step is crucial: multiplication and division (MD) are of equal priority and must be addressed from left to right as they appear in the equation, not with multiplication always before division. Finally, addition and subtraction (AS) are handled, also from left to right.
Solving the Viral Puzzle Step-by-Step
Applying PEMDAS to the viral equation 16 ÷ 4 X 4 - 4 provides a clear path. There are no parentheses or exponents, so we move immediately to multiplication and division, working from the left.
The first operation from the left is division: 16 ÷ 4 = 4. This transforms the equation into 4 X 4 - 4.
Next, we perform the multiplication, again moving left to right: 4 X 4 = 16. The equation is now simplified to 16 - 4.
The final subtraction gives the definitive answer: 12.
If you solved it this way within 30 seconds, congratulations—you correctly applied the order of operations. However, many on social media arrived at different conclusions, with answers like -3, 0, and 14 being commonly proposed, highlighting how easily one can be tripped up without strict adherence to PEMDAS.
Ready for a Harder Challenge?
For those who mastered the first puzzle, a second, potentially more difficult equation was offered: 3 X 3 - 3 ÷ 3 + 3. This problem further tests one's understanding of the left-to-right rule for operations of equal priority. Using PEMDAS, division comes before the adjacent subtraction and addition, leading to a solution that continues to confound a portion of the online community.
The viral debate underscores a timeless lesson: in mathematics, the order in which you perform operations is not a suggestion—it's an absolute rule. Forgetting the dear 'Aunt Sally' can lead to very public and incorrect answers.
