Can you solve this simple math puzzle without using a calculator?
A piece of paper, a pen, and your mind are all you need.
Today’s viral challenge is: 6 + 4 ÷ 2 × 5 = ?
At first glance, it looks like an easy exercise for elementary school kids.
Yet, thousands of people on social media argue over the correct answer.
Many people get 25.
Others confidently announce that the result is 16.
Some even end up with 10.
Why does such a basic problem cause so much confusion?
The answer lies in how we read math compared to how we read words.
When we read a book, our eyes move strictly from left to right.
Because of this natural habit, many people calculate the numbers in that exact sequence.
They start by adding six and four to get ten.
Then, they divide ten by two to get five.
Finally, they multiply five by five and arrive at twenty-five.
This seems completely smooth and intuitive.
However, arithmetic does not follow the simple left-to-right rule when mixed operations are involved.
Mathematics relies on a universal agreement called the Order of Operations.
In English-speaking classrooms, this standard rule is often remembered as PEMDAS or BODMAS.
These acronyms stand for Parentheses (Brackets), Exponents (Orders), Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction.
The golden rule states that multiplication and division have equal priority.
Similarly, addition and subtraction share equal priority.
Crucially, multiplication and division must always be performed before any addition or subtraction.
When operations have the same priority level, you must work them out from left to right.
Now, let us revisit our equation carefully: 6 + 4 ÷ 2 × 5 = ?
First, scan the entire expression for parentheses or exponents.
There are none.
Next, look for multiplication and division.
We spot two terms: division (4 ÷ 2) and multiplication (× 5).
Since division and multiplication rank equally, we must evaluate them from left to right.
The division comes first on the left: four divided by two equals two (4 ÷ 2 = 2).
Now, substitute this back into the problem: 6 + 2 × 5.
We still have a multiplication step left to finish before touching the plus sign.
Multiply two by five, which gives ten (2 × 5 = 10).
Now, the entire equation reduces to a single, straightforward operation: 6 + 10.
Finally, perform the addition: six plus ten equals sixteen.
That is the entire logical journey.
The common trap of getting 25 happens when people add before dividing.
The trap of getting 10 happens when people multiply before dividing, ignoring the left-to-right rule for equal ranks.
Only by respecting the strict hierarchy of operations do we reach the true answer.
The only mathematically correct answer is 16.
