Latest news with #CommonCoreCurriculum
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Simple looking 5th grade math problem leaves the internet defeated - are you smart enough to solve it?
A seemingly straightforward math problem has sparked a debate online, leaving social media users scratching their heads in confusion. The deceptively simple equation that would typically be given to a fifth grader has gone viral after it was shared by user @BholanathDutta on X (formerly Twitter). He posted a photo of the equation alongside the caption: 'Can you SOLVE this? #math'. The problem in question? 10×2÷4−2. What should be a basic calculation has some users confused, with commenters confidently posting contradicting answers. 'The answer is an easy 3, you can do it in your head,' declared one user, seemingly unimpressed by the challenge. Indeed, the majority of commenters agreed that 3 is the correct solution - though others boldly claimed the answer was actually 10. Now, let's take a look at the equation that caused all the confusion. So what is the correct answer? To solve it you have to follow the standard order of operations - commonly remembered as PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction). Others may have learned it as BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction). Regardless, the calculation must be performed in a specific sequence. Try solving it yourself before reading ahead: First, perform the multiplication: 10 × 2 = 20 Then, handle the division: 20 ÷ 4 = 5 Finally, do the subtraction: 5 − 2 = 3 According to mathematical experts, the correct answer is indeed 3. The confusion often arises when people forget the proper order of operations, instead solving equations from left to right. To solve this kind of equation correctly, you need to follow the PEMDAS rule - a foundational concept typically taught in fifth or sixth grade under the Common Core Curriculum. PEMDAS is an acronym that outlines the correct sequence for solving math problems. Parentheses (P) come first, followed by exponents (E), then multiplication (M) and division (D) (from left to right), and finally addition (A) and subtraction (S)(also from left to right).
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Can you solve easy-looking math sum that has stumped the internet... clue is in the order you work out answer
The internet is buzzing over a seemingly simple math equation that has unexpectedly stumped thousands of people. At first glance, the problem appears easy enough. But while many users on X, formerly Twitter, quickly chimed in with answers, only a small number got it right - because only they remembered to apply the correct order of operations. To solve this kind of equation correctly, you need to follow the PEMDAS rule - a foundational concept typically taught in fifth or sixth grade under the Common Core Curriculum. PEMDAS is an acronym that outlines the correct sequence for solving math problems. Parentheses (P) come first, followed by exponents (E), then multiplication (M) and division (D) (from left to right), and finally addition (A) and subtraction (S)(also from left to right). Now, let's take a look at the equation that caused all the confusion. Try solving it yourself before reading ahead: 19 - 12 ÷ 3 + 1 = ? But while many users on X, formerly Twitter , quickly chimed in with answers, only a small number got it right - because only they remembered to apply the correct order of operations Many people ignored the rules and solved the equation strictly from left to right, which led to the most common incorrect answer: 3.33. That mistake happens when PEMDAS is overlooked. Using PEMDAS, to solve the equation you must start with division since there are no parentheses or exponents. Begin by dividing 12 ÷ 3, which equals 4. The equation now becomes 19 - 4 + 1. Working left to right, we subtract 4 from 19 to get 15, then add 1 to arrive at the final answer: 16. The original post, shared by Bholanath Dutta, didn't include the correct answer - leading to a lively comment section full of wild guesses and confident miscalculations. One user proudly posted '-16,' while another offered up '6.333333333333333' as their final answer. Although the math here is elementary, this viral moment is a fun reminder that even the simplest problems can trip us up if we forget the basics. So next time you're faced with a math equation that seems too easy, take a moment, slow down, and let PEMDAS be your guide, it just might save you from going viral for the wrong answer.
