FACEBOOK POST:

This order of operations puzzle is dividing the internet! 🤯🔢 What is the correct answer to $3 \times 3 - 3 \div 3 + 3 = ?$ Drop your answer in the comments! 👇

ARTICLE:

This Math Problem Is Driving People Crazy: The Order of Operations Riddle

Viral arithmetic problems frequently take social media by storm because they test our memory of basic operational rules: PEMDAS/BODMAS (Parentheses/Brackets, Exponents/Orders, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction). By stringing together identical numbers with alternating basic operators, these puzzles trap people into calculating strictly from left to right.

In the chalkboard graphic above, we are presented with a classic arithmetic equation:

3 \times 3 - 3 \div 3 + 3 = ?

Step-by-Step Breakdown

To find the correct solution, we must follow standard order of operations rules:

1. Multiplication and Division (Left to Right)

Multiplication and division hold equal priority and are evaluated from left to right:

First operation (Multiplication):

$3 \times 3 = 9$
Second operation (Division):

$3 \div 3 = 1$

Now substitute these results back into the equation:

9 - 1 + 3 = ?

2. Addition and Subtraction (Left to Right)

Addition and subtraction also share equal precedence and must be solved in order from left to right:

First operation (Subtraction):

$9 - 1 = 8$
Second operation (Addition):

$8 + 3 = 11$

The Final Answer

The correct answer is 11!

Why Order of Operations Puzzles Go Viral

The Left-to-Right Trap: People who solve strictly from left to right end up with $3 \times 3 = 9 \rightarrow 9 - 3 = 6 \rightarrow 6 \div 3 = 2 \rightarrow 2 + 3 = 5$ , creating a false consensus around the wrong answer.
The Addition Priority Trap: Others mistakenly do addition before subtraction ( $1 + 3 = 4$ , then $9 - 4 = 5$ ), another common PEMDAS misconception.
Lively Debates: Conflicting methods lead to spirited discussions in the comments as users advocate for their preferred approach.