Have you ever come across a math problem that seems easy at first glance, only to realize that most people get it wrong? The equation 9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = ? is one such puzzle that confuses many. It looks simple, but if you’re not careful, you might end up with the wrong answer.
Are you ready to put your math skills to the test? Take a moment to solve it before reading ahead. Think you got it right? Let’s find out!
Why Do So Many People Get This Wrong?
At first glance, this equation appears straightforward. However, small details in mathematical rules trip people up. Here are some common mistakes that lead to the wrong answer:
- Ignoring the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) – Many people solve the problem from left to right without following the correct order of operations.
- Misplacing Parentheses (Even When They Aren’t Written) – Some assume parentheses where there are none, changing how they approach division and subtraction.
- Rushing Through the Calculation – The problem is designed to look easy, so people tend to solve it quickly and overlook critical steps.
So, what’s the correct approach? Let’s break it down step by step.
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve this equation correctly, we must follow the order of operations. The most commonly used rule is PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).
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The given equation:
9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9
Step 1: Solve the Division First
According to PEMDAS, division comes before subtraction and addition. So, let’s divide first:
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
Now, substitute these values back into the equation:
9 – 1 + 9 – 1
Step 2: Perform Addition and Subtraction from Left to Right
Now, we calculate in order from left to right:
- 9 – 1 = 8
- 8 + 9 = 17
- 17 – 1 = 16
So, the correct answer is: 16
Common Incorrect Answers and Why They Happen
Many people arrive at incorrect answers because they don’t follow the correct order of operations. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Answer: 0 – This happens when someone groups all the numbers together without following PEMDAS, incorrectly simplifying the problem as:
9−9−9+9−9=09 – 9 – 9 + 9 – 9 = 09−9−9+9−9=0 - Answer: 1 – Some mistakenly subtract 9 from itself first before dividing, leading to:
(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1(9 – 9) ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = 1(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1
These errors reinforce the importance of following the correct mathematical rules step by step.
Why Understanding Order of Operations Matters
You might wonder—why does it even matter? Well, mathematics is built on logical rules, and following them correctly ensures we get consistent, accurate answers. The order of operations is used in everything from programming to engineering to everyday calculations.
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Think about it this way: If a recipe tells you to bake a cake at 350°F for 30 minutes before adding frosting, you wouldn’t reverse the steps, right? Math works the same way—sequence matters!
Put Your Skills to the Test
Did you get the correct answer? Share your response in the comments! Were you surprised by how easy it was to make a mistake?
If you enjoy solving puzzles like this, challenge your friends and see if they can get it right! Math riddles help improve problem-solving skills and boost logical thinking.
Want more brain teasers like this? Keep testing yourself with tricky puzzles and improve your critical thinking skills! Who knows? The next time you see a math problem like this, you might be among the 10% who get it right on the first try!
Pamela Anderson Reacts to Liam Neeson’s Romantic Confession—Is Love in the Air
Pamela Anderson has shared her thoughts on Liam Neeson’s recent praise for her, calling him “the perfect gentleman” to work with.
The two famous actors teamed up earlier this year to film a reboot of the classic cop comedy *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!*—a movie first released in 1988, originally starring Leslie Nielsen.
It didn’t take long for *Love Actually* star Liam Neeson to publicly praise Anderson, describing her as “terrific” to work with.
In the upcoming *The Naked Gun* reboot, expected in 2025, Liam Neeson steps into the role of Drebin Jr., likely playing the son of Frank Drebin from the 1988 classic. While Pamela Anderson’s character hasn’t been revealed yet, fans know she shares several scenes with Neeson. In a recent interview with *People*, Neeson opened up about filming with the *Baywatch* star.
Neeson, 72, even admitted, “I’m madly in love with Pamela Anderson.” He added, “She’s just terrific to work with. I can’t compliment her enough.” He praised her professionalism, noting she has “no huge ego,” shows up “just to do the work,” and is both “funny” and “easy to work with.” Neeson believes Anderson will be “terrific” in the film.
Anderson has since responded warmly to his praise, showing mutual respect and appreciation for Neeson as a colleague.
Pamela Anderson recently returned the compliments Liam Neeson shared, describing him as an actor who “brings out the best in you” with “respect, kindness, and depth of experience.” Anderson, 57, recalled how Neeson “sincerely looked after” her during filming, even wrapping his coat around her when she felt cold. She called him the “perfect gentleman” and said, “It was an absolute honor to work with him.”
Neeson, despite some doubts about doing a comedy, confessed he wasn’t entirely sure if he could “carry it.” Anderson quickly offered her support, describing him as “humble” and noting it was “hard to keep a straight face” when they were on set together.
The *Naked Gun* reboot is based on an original story by Seth MacFarlane, with a screenplay co-written by Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Mark Hentemann, and Alec Sulkin. Directed by Schaffer and produced by MacFarlane and Erica Huggins, the film is set to be released by Paramount Pictures on August 1, 2025.
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