Challenge yourself with this tricky math equation that has stumped 80% of people. Can you be one of the few who gets it right? Let’s break down the problem step by step and see if you can find the solution. Don’t forget to share your answer in the comments!

80% Fails to Answer: Can You Solve This?

Welcome to this tricky puzzle! Here’s a brain teaser that will test your math skills. The question is simple, but many people get it wrong. Can you solve it correctly?

The Puzzle:

48 ÷ 2(9 + 3) = ?

This question has puzzled 80% of people, and it’s all due to the order of operations. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Put your thinking cap on and give it a try!

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Common Mistakes in Solving this Puzzle

Before you dive into solving this, let’s take a moment to discuss some common mistakes people make when approaching this equation.

• Ignoring Parentheses: Many people overlook the importance of parentheses. In this equation, the first step should always be to solve what’s inside the parentheses, which many forget to do.
• Misunderstanding Order of Operations: The biggest mistake here is failing to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS). People often perform multiplication before division, even when they appear in the same expression.
• Confusing Multiplication and Division: Some people might wrongly assume that division is always done first when it appears alongside multiplication. However, according to the order of operations, you perform them from left to right.

Step-by-Step Guide to Solving This Puzzle

Now, let’s break it down carefully, following the correct rules:

Start with Parentheses:

Inside the parentheses, we have: (9 + 3) = 12

So the equation becomes:

48 ÷ 2 * 12

Perform Division and Multiplication (From Left to Right):

According to the rule, we perform division and multiplication from left to right.

First, do the division:

48 ÷ 2 = 24

Now, Multiply:

24 * 12 = 288

So, the correct answer to the equation is 288!

Wasn’t that tricky? It’s easy to see why so many people fail to answer this correctly. But with a little attention to detail and the right approach, you’ll always get it right.

Your Turn

How did you do? Share your answer in the comments below. If you’ve got a different way of thinking about the problem or found it challenging, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Also, don’t forget to try more puzzles to sharpen your logic and problem-solving skills. The more you practice, the better you’ll get! Happy puzzling!