Look at the image above.
It looks like a simple math problem.
Many people get this problem wrong.
They rush and answer too quickly.
Let us break it down together step by step.
The Equation
The equation in the image is: 20 + 30 × 0 + 1 = ?
There are four choices given in the puzzle:
A) 1
B) 21
C) 51
D) 0
Which option do you think is correct?
Common Mistakes
Why do so many people pick the wrong answer?
They usually calculate from left to right without thinking.
First, they add 20 and 30 to get 50.
Next, they multiply 50 by 0, which equals 0.
Finally, they add 1 to 0 and get 1.
So, they select choice A) 1.
However, this method is completely incorrect.
The Rule: Order of Operations
In mathematics, we must follow a specific set of rules.
This set of rules is called the Order of Operations.
You might know it as PEMDAS or BODMAS.
This rule tells us which operation to do first.
Parentheses come first.
Exponents come second.
Multiplication and Division come third.
Addition and Subtraction come last.
Step-by-Step Solution
Now, let us apply the rule to our equation: 20 + 30 × 0 + 1.
First, look for multiplication.
We have 30 × 0 in the middle.
Anything multiplied by zero is zero.
So, 30 × 0 becomes 0.
Now, replace 30 × 0 with 0 in the original equation.
The equation now looks like this: 20 + 0 + 1.
Next, we perform the addition from left to right.
Add 20 and 0: 20 + 0 = 20.
Finally, add 1 to 20: 20 + 1 = 21.
The Final Answer
The calculated result is 21.
Therefore, the correct choice is B) 21.
Did you get the right answer on your first try?
