Math puzzles on the internet often look very simple at first glance.
They use small numbers and basic symbols like plus and multiply.
However, many people get the wrong answer because they solve them too quickly.
Look at this simple handwritten math problem written with a black marker.
The note clearly says: “Answer is: NOT 80”.
Then it shows the equation: 8 × 8 + 8 × 4 = ?
Why do so many people incorrectly think the answer is 80?
Let us look at how people make this common mistake.
When reading from left to right without rules, people do 8 × 8 first, which equals 64.
Then they add 8 to 64, which gives 72.
Finally, they multiply 72 by 4, which gives 288, or they group it incorrectly to get 80.
Some people add the middle numbers first: 8 + 8 = 16.
Then they do 8 × 16, which is 128, and multiply by 4 to get a huge number.
Others try to force the math to equal 80 by combining steps randomly.
That is why the note warns you right at the top that 80 is wrong.
To find the correct answer, we must follow the standard order of operations.
In mathematics, this fundamental rule is known as PEMDAS or BODMAS.
This rule tells us the exact order to solve any math problem.
First, you look for Parentheses or Brackets.
Second, you calculate Exponents or Orders.
Third, you perform Multiplication and Division from left to right.
Last, you perform Addition and Subtraction from left to right.
Multiplication always comes before addition.
Now, let us look at our equation again: 8 × 8 + 8 × 4.
There are two multiplication parts in this expression.
The first multiplication part is 8 × 8.
The second multiplication part is 8 × 4.
We must calculate both multiplication parts before we do any addition.
Let us solve the first part: 8 × 8 equals 64.
Now let us solve the second part: 8 × 4 equals 32.
We can now rewrite the problem using these two results.
The expression becomes: 64 + 32.
Now we perform the final step, which is addition.
We add 64 and 32 together.
64 + 32 equals 96.