Did you get it right?
This chalkboard puzzle asks you to solve the expression carefully: 9 + 9 x 3 – 9 = ?
The Answer
The correct answer is: 27.
Here is why
- Do the multiplication first: 9 x 3 = 27.
- Then add the first 9: 9 + 27 = 36.
- Then subtract the last 9: 36 – 9 = 27.
Why people miss it
The tempting mistake is to work straight from left to right. The multiplication step has to be handled before the addition and subtraction.
What answer did you get before checking?
