At first glance, this math puzzle looks almost too easy.
You see the statement “Answer is NOT 25” and then one simple expression underneath it.
That might make you think there is some hidden trick waiting for you.
But before guessing, take a moment and solve the equation carefully.
The expression is:
15 × 3 + 15 ÷ 3
The first thing to remember is that math problems usually follow a specific order of operations.
You cannot simply work from left to right and do every operation as you see it.
Multiplication and division have priority over addition and subtraction.
So, in this problem, we need to handle the multiplication and division first.
Let’s start with 15 × 3.
That gives us 45.
Now look at the second part: 15 ÷ 3.
That gives us 5.
So the original expression can now be rewritten as:
45 + 5
And that is much easier to calculate.
The final result is 50.
So the correct answer is 50, not 25.
But why might someone get 25?
One common mistake is to focus on the numbers without following the correct order of operations.
Another mistake is to assume that the puzzle must contain a complicated trick simply because it says the answer is not 25.
Sometimes, the wording is there just to make you second-guess yourself.
You might also be tempted to combine the two 15s first because they appear next to each other in the expression.
However, there is no operation telling you to add those numbers before dealing with multiplication and division.
The symbols matter just as much as the numbers.
The × and ÷ signs must be handled before the + sign.
There is also an important rule when multiplication and division appear together.
They have the same priority, so you normally work from left to right.
In this particular puzzle, that detail does not cause any extra confusion because the multiplication appears before the division.
First, 15 × 3 = 45.
Then, 15 ÷ 3 = 5.
Finally, add the two results together.
45 + 5 = 50.
So if you chose 50, you followed the correct mathematical rules.
If you got 25, don’t worry.
This is exactly the kind of simple-looking puzzle that can make your brain rush ahead before checking the signs.
That is why slowing down is often the best strategy with these little math challenges.
Read every symbol carefully.
Follow the order of operations.
Then calculate each part one step at a time.
There is no need for a secret formula or a complicated trick here.
The puzzle is simply testing whether you notice that multiplication and division come before addition.
And that brings us to the final answer.
15 × 3 + 15 ÷ 3 = 45 + 5 = 50.