01-06-2025
Simple looking elementary school math problem leaves people stumped - can you get the answer in 30 seconds?
A seemingly straightforward math problem has sparked debate online after leaving social media users confused over the correct answer.
The brain teaser, which appears simple at first glance, has divided the internet with people coming up with different solutions to what appears like a basic math problem.
Twitter user @BholanathDutta shared the math riddle with followers, asking 'Can you solve this #math' alongside an image decorated with colorful flowers.
The post shows a calculation that looks simple: 500 + 450 ÷ 5.
The post has now been viewed more than 3,000 times, with dozens of commenters sharing their answers.
But not everyone agrees on the solution.
The overwhelming majority of respondents believe the answer is 590, with many users showing their working to prove their point.
One user methodically explained their approach.
They wrote: '500 + 450 ÷ 5 = ? 450 ÷ 5 = 90, 500 + 90 = 590.'
Another person reached the same conclusion, posting: '450/5=90, 500+90=590.'
However, not everyone reached the popular answer, as several users offered completely different solutions.
A handful of commenters suggested alternative answers, with one stating the result should be 190.
Another claimed the correct answer was 945.
A couple of users argued the answer should be 19.
The confusion appears to stem from different interpretations of the order of operations.
That is the principle that determines which calculations should be performed first in complex equations.
According to standard math rules, division should be completed before addition, which would support the majority answer of 590.
Problem solvers should use the conventional order of operations - which goes by the acronym PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
Using that, the calculation would indeed be: 450 ÷ 5 = 90, then 500 + 90 = 590.
The viral math puzzle joins a long list of seemingly simple problems that have recently gone viral online.
