Are you ready to test your math skills? Today’s challenge is a math problem designed for middle schoolers, and the real test is that you can’t use a calculator! We all know classic brain teasers like crossword puzzles or Sudoku, but lately, I’ve found myself drawn to a different kind of challenge—ones like the problem you’ll see below. These types of puzzles have been taking over the internet recently, and it’s easy to see why: they’re a ton of fun!
These math problems might bring back memories from your middle or high school days, where solving them is more about recalling what you learned as a kid. That’s what makes these challenges so interesting—you get to put your brain to work trying to remember how to solve them without any fancy gadgets.
Let’s dive in.
At the top of the picture, you’ll see the problem along with four possible answers. Your goal is to solve it without relying on your calculator or even Google. Just you, your brain, and maybe a piece of scratch paper.
So, which answer do you think is the right one?
How did you come up with it?
Take your time, think it through, and let your mind wander back to those math lessons from school.
Got it? Great! Now, let’s see if your answer was correct.
The problem itself might look simple, but it can be tricky if you don’t follow the proper steps. The four potential answers will make you think, but only one of them is right. Let’s solve it step by step.
The Correct Answer: It’s B: 12.
Now, let’s break down why 12 is the correct answer.
If you think back to your school days, you might remember the order of operations. This rule tells us the correct sequence in which to solve different parts of a mathematical expression. Specifically, the order is: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right). This rule is often remembered with the acronym PEMDAS.
