Have you ever come across a math problem that seems easy at first glance, only to realize that most people get it wrong? The equation 9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = ? is one such puzzle that confuses many. It looks simple, but if you’re not careful, you might end up with the wrong answer.
Are you ready to put your math skills to the test? Take a moment to solve it before reading ahead. Think you got it right? Let’s find out!
Why Do So Many People Get This Wrong?
At first glance, this equation appears straightforward. However, small details in mathematical rules trip people up. Here are some common mistakes that lead to the wrong answer:
- Ignoring the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) – Many people solve the problem from left to right without following the correct order of operations.
- Misplacing Parentheses (Even When They Aren’t Written) – Some assume parentheses where there are none, changing how they approach division and subtraction.
- Rushing Through the Calculation – The problem is designed to look easy, so people tend to solve it quickly and overlook critical steps.
So, what’s the correct approach? Let’s break it down step by step.
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve this equation correctly, we must follow the order of operations. The most commonly used rule is PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).
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The given equation:
9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9
Step 1: Solve the Division First
According to PEMDAS, division comes before subtraction and addition. So, let’s divide first:
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
Now, substitute these values back into the equation:
9 – 1 + 9 – 1
Step 2: Perform Addition and Subtraction from Left to Right
Now, we calculate in order from left to right:
- 9 – 1 = 8
- 8 + 9 = 17
- 17 – 1 = 16
So, the correct answer is: 16
Common Incorrect Answers and Why They Happen
Many people arrive at incorrect answers because they don’t follow the correct order of operations. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Answer: 0 – This happens when someone groups all the numbers together without following PEMDAS, incorrectly simplifying the problem as:
9−9−9+9−9=09 – 9 – 9 + 9 – 9 = 09−9−9+9−9=0 - Answer: 1 – Some mistakenly subtract 9 from itself first before dividing, leading to:
(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1(9 – 9) ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = 1(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1
These errors reinforce the importance of following the correct mathematical rules step by step.
Why Understanding Order of Operations Matters
You might wonder—why does it even matter? Well, mathematics is built on logical rules, and following them correctly ensures we get consistent, accurate answers. The order of operations is used in everything from programming to engineering to everyday calculations.
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Think about it this way: If a recipe tells you to bake a cake at 350°F for 30 minutes before adding frosting, you wouldn’t reverse the steps, right? Math works the same way—sequence matters!
Put Your Skills to the Test
Did you get the correct answer? Share your response in the comments! Were you surprised by how easy it was to make a mistake?
If you enjoy solving puzzles like this, challenge your friends and see if they can get it right! Math riddles help improve problem-solving skills and boost logical thinking.
Want more brain teasers like this? Keep testing yourself with tricky puzzles and improve your critical thinking skills! Who knows? The next time you see a math problem like this, you might be among the 10% who get it right on the first try!
My Ex-husband’s New Wife Unexpectedly Contacted Me – What She Wrote Made Me Go Pale
When my spouse, Kevin, unintentionally contacted me instead of his lover five years ago, my entire world crumbled. Jess, I detest her. With all of my being, I detest Bridget. Not even a baby can be born to her.” It broke my heart to know he was unfaithful and felt sorry for me since I couldn’t conceive.
After our divorce, I got a big settlement that included a stake in his business. Kevin wed Jessica, the person he had an affair with, shortly after. I ignored any news about them and moved on until Jessica reached out to me a month ago, looking for help and afraid.
“I told him to get rid of it, but Kevin doesn’t want the baby,” she revealed. He lost too much money in the divorce.
I made the decision to assist her despite our past. I took Kevin to court and proposed that she live into my lake house. A letter disclosing his requests and cautioning him against harassment was drafted by my attorney.
Kevin’s demise was brought about by our discovery of financial malfeasance in his organization. Jessica made the decision to keep the baby, and we became friends in the meanwhile.
Knowing that justice had been done and Kevin had to pay for his acts, this ordeal gave me closure. Karma only requires a small prod from time to time.
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