A seemingly straightforward maths problem has set the internet alight, leaving thousands of users arguing over the correct solution. The equation, 350 - 40 ÷ 2 + 10, was shared on X by user @BholanathDutta, who challenged followers to solve it without using a pen or paper.
The Great Online Divide
The post quickly went viral, with confused social media users sharing a wide range of answers. The guesses varied wildly, with many proposing 165, 298, or 320 as the correct result. This digital disagreement highlighted a common issue: many had forgotten a fundamental mathematical principle taught in elementary school. The core of the problem lay not in the numbers themselves, but in the order in which the operations should be performed.
The Sacred Rule of PEMDAS
The key to unlocking this puzzle is the mathematical acronym PEMDAS, which stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. This rule dictates the strict order of operations used to solve any arithmetic equation.
According to PEMDAS, you must first address any calculations inside Parentheses. Next, you handle Exponents. After that, you tackle Multiplication and Division, working from left to right as they appear in the sum. Finally, you solve Addition and Subtraction, again moving from left to right.
Solving the Viral Equation
So, let's apply PEMDAS to the equation that divided the internet: 350 - 40 ÷ 2 + 10.
Following the order of operations, Division comes before Subtraction or Addition. Therefore, the first step is to calculate 40 ÷ 2, which equals 20.
This leaves us with a simplified equation: 350 - 20 + 10.
Now, we work from left to right. 350 - 20 gives us 330. Then, 330 + 10 results in the final, correct answer of 340.
Where Most People Went Wrong
The most common incorrect answer was 320. This mistake typically occurred after the initial division was correctly done. Users were left with 350 - 20 + 10, but then added the 20 and 10 together first to get 30. They then subtracted 30 from 350, arriving at 320. This violates the left-to-right rule for subtraction and addition in the PEMDAS order.
Were you able to solve the maths equation on your first try? If so, congratulations! If not, just remember the handy rule of PEMDAS for next time you encounter a tricky sum online.
