Do Not Answer Until You Do the Brackets: Math Puzzle Answer

Did you get it right?

This blackboard puzzle asks you to solve 36 / (3 + 3) x 2 = ?. Slow down and follow the order of operations.

Do Not Answer Until You Do the Brackets: Math Puzzle Answer

The Answer

The correct answer is: The answer is 12..

Here is why

  1. Handle parentheses first if there are any.
  2. Do multiplication and division before addition or subtraction.
  3. Following those rules gives 12.

Why people miss it

The tempting mistake is to read the problem from left to right too quickly.

What answer did you get before checking?