Let me tell you about the first time I saw this viral math puzzle.

I was in my late twenties, and I was scrolling through my feed. I saw this equation, and I thought it was simple. I solved it quickly, and I moved on.

But then I saw the comments. People were arguing about the answer. I realized that it wasn’t as simple as it looked.

The Equation

50 + 50 − 25 × 0 + 2 + 2

The Trap: Why People Get It Wrong

The trap. Many people solve the equation from left to right.

The mistake. They forget the order of operations.

The result. They get the wrong answer.

The takeaway. The order of operations matters.

The solution. Follow the rules.

The Order of Operations

PEMDAS. Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

The rule. Multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction.

The effect. You must multiply before adding.

The takeaway. Follow the order.

The solution. Use PEMDAS.

The Correct Answer

Step 1: Multiplication First

25 × 0 = 0

Step 2: Rewrite the Equation

50 + 50 − 0 + 2 + 2

Step 3: Add and Subtract from Left to Right

50 + 50 = 100

100 − 0 = 100

100 + 2 = 102

102 + 2 = 104

The Answer

104

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