The easy mathematics equation that's driving the internet mad

Virgin Radio

29 Apr 2021, 15:47

If you think you can channel your inner Carol Vorderman, then have a go at this maths sum that's sending social media users potty. It looks like a simple enough equation - so why is it literally dividing people's opinion online?

Twitter user @pjmdoll shared the sum and wrote: "Oomfies solve this," alongside the problem: "8 ÷ 2(2 + 2) = ?"

He added: "I do parenthesis, multiplication, then division so I believe it's 1," they then wrote: "I see so apparently division comes first... this is why I didn't do well in math okay."

People responded: "It's 1. The amount of people saying 16 need to retake math."

Another agreed: "I have 2 math degrees it's 1." 

Another wrote: "8÷2(2x2) = 8÷2(4) = 8÷8 = 1 = Answer is 1. Solved Via "BODMAS" Rule : (B racket) O( f ) D÷ ivision M x ultiplication A+ dditional S-ubtraction."

One budding mathematician wrote: "You do not need any acronyms to evaluate 8 ÷ 2(2+2), the result is the same whether you do the + first or the ÷ first.

"Just follow these conventions: 1. Do the parenthesis, 2. Do from Left to Right. The correct result is then 4 X 4 = 16. No memorization of acronyms."

This user penned: "The correct answer is 16. When the problem is at 8/2(4), You have to calculate from left to right because multiplication and division have the same precedence. So 8/2 first and then 4(4)=16. Just remember the left to right rule, which is a rule a lot of people forget."

According to YouTuber Presh Talwalker, the answer = 16.

Writing on his MindYourDecisions: "According to the order of operations, division and multiplication have the same precedence, so the correct order is to evaluate from left to right. First take 8 and divide it by 2, and then multiply by 2.

"This is without argument the correct answer of how to evaluate this expression according to current usage.

"Some people have a different interpretation. And while it's not the correct answer today, it would have been regarded as the correct answer 100 years ago."

What did you get? *stares at page blankly*