Were you a strong math student in elementary school?
I’m sure I wasn’t. Having said that, I’m pretty sure as an adult I can now solve a child’s math question.
But the internet is going crazy over this issue. The correct solution to this children’s math problem is the topic of discussion in offices and dinner tables around the world.
Is it possible to solve the children’s math problem that made the internet crazy?
The staff apparently contacted mathematicians to finally learn the truth, as the debate over the correct solution to this child’s arithmetic problem became so heated in some offices.
The problem is as follows:
Can you get the right answer?
Children’s math problem and questionable solution
Some say the answer is 16, some say it’s 1.
But how is it possible that a math problem has two correct answers? Isn’t mathematics meant to be a single subject where there are only two possible answers – right and wrong – and no room for interpretation?
Yes, this one is a bit more challenging, it depends on how well you remember elementary school math.
Why does this child’s math problem get two different answers?
The solution to this problem is provided by something known as an order of operations.
You remember The sequence in which the equation must be solved is called this.
In order to remember how it works, children are taught the abbreviation BEDMAS or PEMDAS in different parts of the world. They represent:
The correct answer is and will always be 16, regardless of whether you use PEMDAS or BEDMAS.
That’s the reason
The crucial element is that the letters D and M stand for division OR multiplication (or multiplication OR division); in the equation, you are expected to do whatever comes first.
Their use is not determined by the order in which they are listed in individual abbreviations.
Doing what is enclosed in parentheses in this question is the first step: (2+2)= 4.
The equation now looks like this: 8 x 2 (4).
Note that multiplication is actually indicated by a number next to the number in parentheses. The equation is now 8 ÷ 2 × 4.
Now that division and multiplication are the only remaining tasks, just calculate the equation from left to right, starting with division:
8 ÷ 2×4 = 4×4 = 16
If you are still not clear about the sequence of procedures, watch the video below.
The debate surrounding the child’s math problem illustrates how easily confusion can arise in mathematics, even with seemingly straightforward equations. Emphasizes the importance of understanding the order of operations that serves as the basis for correctly solving mathematical expressions. The fact that some people came up with different answers—16 and 1—shows how important it is to clarify the rules of math, especially for those who haven’t practiced the concepts in a while.
In the end, the correct answer to the problem is indeed 16 in the correct order of operations. Applying the PEMDAS or BEDMAS rules, we see that calculations are performed first on the basis of the parentheses, followed by division and multiplication in the order in which they appear from left to right. This basic knowledge is necessary not only to solve this specific problem but also to ensure accuracy in more complex equations that we will encounter later in life.
As adults, we can sometimes overlook these basic principles, but revisiting them can improve our problem-solving skills and help us communicate more effectively with younger students. Engaging with mathematics in this way fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subject, making it not only a necessary skill but also an enjoyable challenge. Whether you’re solving children’s problems or solving more advanced equations, mastering the basics of math remains essential.