Viral math puzzle highlights PEMDAS rule

A viral math puzzle posted on X rekindled attention to the long-standing order-of-operations rules. The equation 6+7-3÷2 has become a focal point for many who forget the rule that tells you which operations to perform first. Under the standard convention, the expression should be evaluated by performing the division before addition and subtraction, yielding a final result of 11.5, rather than a left-to-right calculation. The post has stirred a lively online debate about memory, accuracy, and how people approach basic arithmetic in the digital age.

Mathematics education commonly uses PEMDAS to remind students of the sequence: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division (from left to right), then addition and subtraction (from left to right). In this case, 3÷2 equals 1.5, so the expression reduces to 6+7-1.5. Adding first yields 13, then subtracting 1.5 gives 11.5. The illustration shows how a small misstep—treating division as a separate final operation—can change the outcome.

Social-media responders offered a range of explanations. Some argued that the rules are optional or misunderstood, leading to the erroneous result 5 from solving left to right and incorrectly moving the division to the end. Others acknowledged the trap, noting that even careful students can trip on the distinction between the order of operations versus a casual, stepwise reading of the expression. The episode underscores how memory and attention to foundational math rules remain relevant as digital content circulates widely.

Reports about the incident cite coverage from the Daily Mail, which published a feature on the same question as part of a roundup of elementary school tricks that still stump adults. The article frames the puzzle as a simple test of whether people remember PEMDAS and whether the rule is taught consistently. In an era when quick answers often spread faster than careful reasoning, the online response to the equation has offered a snapshot of how people handle basic arithmetic under time pressure.

Educators say the episode can serve as a reminder of the importance of teaching order of operations clearly and reinforcing it through practice. Cognitive science notes that the brain uses rote rules for routine tasks, but confusion can arise when a problem looks deceptively simple. The discussion also points to a broader need for numeracy education that helps learners translate symbolic notation into a sequence of steps, even in short, on-screen math challenges.

While the viral exchange centers on a single expression, it also highlights a broader truth about math literacy in a digital culture. The left-to-right conventions, regional differences in instruction, and the speed of social-media comment threads can all influence how people approach problems that were once taught in schoolrooms. The takeaway is not a verdict on memory but a reminder that basic arithmetic rests on a consistent set of rules that govern even the most modest calculation.