Social media is buzzing with a new math puzzle that’s leaving even the sharpest minds scratching their heads. If you love a good mental challenge, then this puzzle is perfect for you. The best part? No calculators, pens, or paper allowed—just pure brainpower. Are you ready to dive in?
Doesn’t seem too complicated, right? But the real challenge comes when you try to solve it quickly without considering one key aspect: the order of operations.
One of the biggest traps people fall into when solving math puzzles is ignoring the proper sequence of operations. Many make the mistake of performing operations from left to right, which seems intuitive but often leads to the wrong answer.
This is where the BODMAS/BIDMAS rule comes into play. It’s a fundamental principle in arithmetic that helps ensure the correct order of operations:
- Brackets
- Orders (i.e., powers and square roots, etc.)
- Division and Multiplication
- Addition and Subtraction
By following this rule, you can avoid the pitfalls that often trip up even experienced problem solvers.
Let’s break down this puzzle step by step using the BODMAS rule to arrive at the correct solution.
Step 1: Identify the Operations The given equation is: 11 – 11 × 11 + 11 This equation involves subtraction, multiplication, and addition. According to BODMAS, we need to perform the multiplication before anything else.
Step 2: Perform Multiplication First In the equation, we have 11 × 11 in the middle. Let’s solve this part first:
11 × 11 = 121
So, now the equation looks like this: 11 – 121 + 11
Step 3: Solve the Subtraction Next, we move on to subtraction:
11 – 121 = -110
Now the equation is reduced to: -110 + 11
Step 4: Complete the Addition Finally, we perform the addition:
-110 + 11 = -99
Step 5: Confirm the Solution The correct solution to the puzzle is -99.
By following the BODMAS rule, we ensure that the operations are performed in the right sequence, preventing errors that occur when solving the equation from left to right without considering the order of operations.
Many people who attempt this puzzle for the first time might incorrectly solve it by simply performing the operations as they appear, which leads to the wrong answer. Let’s explore how this happens.
The next time you come across a puzzle like this one, remember to slow down, take a deep breath, and apply the BODMAS rule. By practicing these types of mental challenges, you can improve your analytical thinking and avoid common mistakes. The correct answer to this puzzle, as we’ve seen, is -99—but more importantly, it’s about using the right approach to get there.
So, how did you do? Share your results and experience with others in the comments below. If you made an initial mistake, you’re not alone—discussing where you went wrong can help others avoid similar pitfalls. And don’t forget, every puzzle solved is a step closer to mastering the art of mental math!
