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Only Geniuses Can Solve This Math Puzzle in 10 Seconds — Can You?
Every once in a while, the internet falls in love with a math puzzle. It pops up on social media with a bold claim: “Only geniuses can solve this in 10 seconds.” Comments explode. Some people confidently post answers. Others argue. A few admit defeat. And almost everyone feels compelled to try.
In this blog post, we’ll explore a classic viral-style math puzzle, break down why it’s trickier than it looks, uncover what it actually tests, and explain how you can train your brain to solve these puzzles faster. Whether you get the answer in three seconds or three minutes, you’ll walk away smarter than when you started.
The Puzzle That Broke the Internet
Let’s start with a familiar type of challenge. Take a look at this puzzle:
8 ÷ 2(2 + 2) = ?
At first glance, it seems easy. Elementary-school math, right? And yet, when this puzzle has appeared online, it has sparked endless debates—with people confidently arguing for different answers.
Some say the answer is 1.
Others insist it’s 16.
So which one is correct?
Before we reveal the answer, pause for a moment. Try to solve it quickly, without overthinking. If you got an answer in under 10 seconds, congratulations—you’ve already proven something important. But even if you didn’t, you’re in very good company.
The difficulty of this puzzle doesn’t come from advanced mathematics. It comes from how our brains interpret symbols under time pressure.
The key issue here is the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS:
Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication and Division (left to right)
Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Most people remember the acronym—but fewer remember the crucial detail: multiplication and division are handled left to right, not one before the other.
Continue reading…
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