The internet is torn over an elementary-level math equation, with people suggesting conflicting answers based on their approaches.
The simple math problem went viral on X this week, leaving thousands of users confused.
X users have weighed in on the basic problem – but not all came to the correct answer.
User @BholanathDutta shared the equation on X.
‘Can you SOLVE this? #math,’ he wrote.
Below is the equation, give it a try before reading on:
80 + 20 ÷ 5 = ?’
The simple math problem went viral on X this week, leaving thousands of users confused
Users were divided between the answers 20 and 84 with hundreds going back and forth between the two.
Some users even suggested the answer was 25 or 320.
But the correct answer is actually 84.
So how do you get there?
In order to get the correct answer, one has to follow PEMDAS – a concept typically taught in fifth or sixth grade under the Common Core Curriculum.
PEMDAS is an acronym that stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (from left to right), Addition/Subtraction (from left to right).
Using that order:
First, you divide 20 ÷ 5, which equals 4.
First, you divide 20 ÷ 5, which equals 4. Then, you add that to 80, giving you a final answer of 84
Then, you add that to 80, giving you a final answer of 84.
80 + (20 ÷ 5) = 80 + 4 = 84
Still, many users online missed the division step and just added 80 + 20 first — a common mistake if PEMDAS isn’t used correctly.
