A deceptively simple math equation is once again taking over the internet, leaving thousands of people arguing over the correct answer. What appears to be an easy middle-school problem has turned into a viral brain teaser that continues to confuse even adults preparing for major exams.
One writer admitted the puzzle became a personal challenge after returning to study for the GRE nearly nine years after taking a math class. Confident at first, they quickly realized the equation was designed to trick people who forget the proper order of operations. Reports claim only 60 percent of young adults solved it correctly, fueling heated debates across social media.
Experts say the confusion usually comes down to PEMDAS, the basic math rule that determines which operations should be solved first. Still, every time one of these viral equations appears online, the internet splits into competing camps convinced their answer is right.
Whether you solve it instantly or struggle for minutes, the viral challenge proves one thing: the internet loves a good math debate.