A simple math problem has been making rounds on the internet and leaving netizens baffled with its confusing answer.
In the picture above, you can see an easy yet tricky math problem that you have been challenged to solve. Can you answer it correctly on the first try without checking out our hints below?
Let’s get to work! As seen in the pic that features a series of numbers with plus signs in between, your job is to find out what number should replace the question mark at the end of the equation.
Sounds simple enough, right? After all, one only needs to understand how basic addition and multiplication work.
If you are already convinced that the correct answer is 12 after taking all the numbers in the picture into account, we have to tell you that you’re WRONG.
In addition, if your answer is 1, you’re WRONG as well.
Give the math problem another try before checking out the solution below.
As it happens, the first two lines of numbers in the picture are meaningless when it comes to solving the problem and are there only to confuse you.
Since there is no operator (+, -, ÷, ×) or equals sign at the end of each line, this means that the three lines are not connected in any way, whereas the first two lines are not mathematical problems but mere expressions.
This leaves us with: 1 + 1 x 0 + 1 = ?
To solve the problem, simply follow the correct mathematical order by prioritizing multiplication before addition. This leads us to: 1 + 0 + 1 = ?
Since one plus one is 2, the correct answer to the problem in question is TWO.
Though some people argue that the answer can also be 30 if the three lines are combined into a single, continuous string (1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 11 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 11 + 1 x 0 + 1), this is mathematically incorrect as well because the only way to separate long equations into multiple lines is to place a line break before or after operators and not between numbers.
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