Math puzzles are a great way to test your logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Some seem simple at first glance but can be surprisingly tricky, leading to heated debates among math enthusiasts. Today, we have a classic math problem for you:
At first sight, this looks like a straightforward arithmetic equation. But don’t be too quick to answer! Many people get it wrong because of common calculation mistakes. Do you think you can solve it correctly? Give it a try before reading further!
Common Mistakes People Make
Math problems like this often lead to errors because of small details that are easy to overlook. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Ignoring the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS)
- Some people calculate from left to right without following the correct sequence of operations. However, math follows a strict order called PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)) or BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction).
- Misinterpreting Implied Multiplication
- Many people get confused when multiplication appears next to parentheses. In expressions like 8(6), the multiplication is implicit, which can lead to incorrect grouping of operations if not handled properly.
- Misplacing Division and Multiplication Priority
- Some assume that division should always come before multiplication, but division and multiplication are at the same level in the order of operations. This means you must perform them from left to right, not always prioritizing division over multiplication.
Now, let’s break this down step by step to get the correct answer.
Step-by-Step Solution
We start with the original problem: 48÷8(14−8)
Step 1: Solve Inside the Parentheses
According to PEMDAS, we must handle the parentheses first:14−8=6
Now, the equation simplifies to: 48÷8(6)
Step 2: Understand the Implied Multiplication
This is where many people make mistakes. The expression 8(6) means 8 × 6. Some might mistakenly think that multiplication should be done before division, but according to PEMDAS/BODMAS, multiplication and division are performed from left to right.
So, the equation now looks like: 48÷8×6
Step 3: Perform Division and Multiplication from Left to Right
Now, we solve the operations in the correct sequence:
- 48 ÷ 8 = 6
- 6 × 6 = 36
Some people may stop here and believe the answer is 36, but this is incorrect because we misinterpreted the implied multiplication rule. Let’s go back and solve it correctly!
The Correct Way to Solve It
We now approach the problem again, considering the correct interpretation of multiplication next to parentheses. The equation: 48÷8(6)
is actually: 48÷(8×6)
Since multiplication is directly tied to the parentheses, it must be solved first:
- 8 × 6 = 48
- 48 ÷ 48 = 1
Thus, the correct answer is 1!
Final Thoughts: How Did You Do?
Did you get the answer right? If so, congratulations! You’ve demonstrated strong logical thinking and a solid understanding of math rules. If you got it wrong, don’t worry—many people make similar mistakes, but now you know how to approach problems like this correctly.
Now it’s your turn!
- Comment below with your answer before you read the solution!
- Share this puzzle with your friends and see if they can solve it correctly.
- Try more math puzzles to challenge your brain and improve your logical thinking skills.
Math is all about attention to detail, and small changes in notation can make a big difference in the answer. Keep practicing, and you’ll get better at spotting tricky problems like this in no time!
