Visual math teasers are a great way to test your basic arithmetic skills, understanding of square roots, exponents, and the classic order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS).
In the puzzle image above, three kids sitting in front of plates of cookies claim different mathematical amounts:
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Boy on the Left (Blue Shirt): “I ate $\sqrt{64}$“
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Boy in the Middle (Striped Shirt): “I ate $7+2(2+2)$“
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Boy on the Right (Green Shirt): “I ate $22-3^2$“
By solving each expression step-by-step, we can determine who ate the most cookies.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
Let’s evaluate each child’s math expression:
1. Boy in the Blue Shirt (Left)
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Expression: $\sqrt{64}$
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The square root of $64$ is the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals $64$.
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Since $8 \times 8 = 64$, $\sqrt{64} = 8$.
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Total = 8 cookies
2. Boy in the Striped Shirt (Middle)
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Expression: $7 + 2(2 + 2)$
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Following the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS):
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First, solve inside the parentheses: $2 + 2 = 4$
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Next, perform multiplication: $2 \times 4 = 8$
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Finally, perform addition: $7 + 8 = 15$
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Total = 15 cookies
3. Boy in the Green Shirt (Right)
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Expression: $22 – 3^2$
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Following the Order of Operations:
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First, calculate the exponent: $3^2 = 3 \times 3 = 9$
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Next, perform subtraction: $22 – 9 = 13$
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Total = 13 cookies
The Final Comparison
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Boy on Left = $8$
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Boy in Middle = $15$
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Boy on Right = $13$
The Final Answer
The boy in the middle (striped shirt) ate the most cookies with a total of 15!
Why Order of Operations Puzzles Go Viral
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Common Pitfalls: People often evaluate math problems strictly from left to right, forgetting to prioritize parentheses and multiplication before addition.
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Fun Memory Refresh: Serves as a quick, satisfying refresher on foundational middle school math concepts.
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Engaging Online Debates: Simple arithmetic expressions with multiple operations frequently spark lively discussions in social media comment sections.
