Have you ever come across an online math problem that just didn’t add up? If so, you’re not alone. A few years ago, a math equation went viral, sparking debates across the internet—from casual solvers to mathematicians. The equation, 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2), seemed simple, but people kept arriving at different answers.
One group, which included editors at Popular Mechanics, calculated it as 16. Following PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction), they first solved inside the parentheses to get 4, then divided 8 by 2 to get 4, and finally multiplied by 4 to reach 16.
However, another group interpreted the expression differently. They solved the parentheses but viewed it as 8 ÷ (2 × 4), calculating the answer as 1. They believed the equation’s format prioritized division, producing a distinct result.
Experts later chimed in. Mike Breen from the American Mathematical Society noted that while 16 is technically correct, the equation’s format is ambiguous. Physics professor Rhett Allain added that it might be clearer as 8/(2(2 + 2)), which would yield an answer of 1.
In the end, the problem showed that different interpretations can lead to multiple answers, highlighting how ambiguity in notation can affect even basic math.