This maths equation has been ‘dividing' the internet for years and has many arguing, so what is the actual answer?
The mathematic problem in question is "8÷2 (2+2) = ?” Depending on who you are, there appears to be two answers that most people are arguing over.
8/2(2*2) Which One You Trust More??🙄 pic.twitter.com/ypMaMPoy0R
— Certified Engineer (@Mech_Mind) August 1, 2019
Half say the answer is 8÷2(2+2) = 1 and the other half say the answer is 8÷2(2+2) = 16. But that depends on what method you use to solve the question.
It’s 16...how are y’all getting 1???
— Elle🌺🌸 (@itsaniconn) July 22, 2021
1. The amount of people saying 16 need to retake math 😭
— 🌼𝕙𝕩𝕟𝕖𝕪𝕓𝕖𝕖. seeing BTS🐝 ⁷ (@BlackSwan875) July 28, 2019
The answer will depend on which order of operations is followed, whether it be PEMDAS or BODMAS. Both methods agree that the sum within the parentheses or brackets should be solved first, and in this case, it’s 2+2=4.
PEMDAS, which stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction is most commonly used in the United States. Using this method, and knowing the first sum is 4, you would solve the sum with the below formula:
8÷(2(4))
= 8÷8
= 1
BODMAS which stands for Brackets, Order, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction, is most commonly used in Australia and the UK. So for this equation, the process would be: 8÷2×4
= 4×4
= 16
Now, we’re not mathematicians here but if you type the sum in Google, it will give you 16.
One mathemetician however, has done a full analysis on the question and he says the answer is also 16. You can read his article below:
https://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2019/07/31/what-is-8-%C3%B7-22-2-the-correct-answer-explained/
So, the answer seems to be that there are two answers! What do you think?
Main Image Credit: (StunningArt / Shutterstock)