'Simple' equation puts long-forgotten math lessons to the test. Can you solve it in 30 seconds or less?

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

Let's face it: numbers, for many of us, just don't add up.
And unless math is part of your day job, you can generally avoid messing with nasty sums when you graduate from school.
Those complicated equations are easily forgotten when a teacher's not breathing down your neck. With calculators, even simple multiplication can be swerved - until now.
See if you can recall back to the days of elementary arithmetic and solve this compound sum using only your brain.
Better yet, do it in 30 seconds or less.
Bholanath Dutta posted this sum on X and it seemed to leave people stumped for even longer.
What's the answer to 70 ÷ 5 - 5 x 3?
How did you do?
If you remembered to refer to the mathematical acronym PEMDAS, you're on the right track.
PEMDAS stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, and addition and subtraction. It demonstrates the right order in which to solve a math equation like this one.
Using PEMDAS, we know to solve for multiplication and division in this problem first.
70÷5=14
and...
5x3=15
Now the remaining problem is:
14-15=-1
If -1 was your answer, then you're correct.
If not, there are a few ways you could have accidentally turned the solution on its head.
Solving the problem left to right is a common one.
70÷5=14
14-5=9
9x3=27
In this instance, it can be helpful to picture parenthesis around the division and multiplication problems. That way you don't forget to solve them first.
Maybe you started with subtraction in the middle or even took the equation from right to left.
Either way you're in good company. People in Bholanath Dutta's comment section came up with 27, 21, and even 33.
But at least now, the next time you decide to tease your brain, you certainly won't forget PEMDAS.