The math problem is causing huge debates as people disagree with its solution 😮😮 In a world where social media thrives on polarizing debates, it’s hard to expect that a math problem would cause such heated discussion. But one equation did just that.
In 2019, a seemingly simple mathematical equation became a viral problem for social media users and ‘practically caused a civil war in the Popular Mechanics office.’
At its core was not just mathematics; it was a cultural phenomenon demonstrating how people interpret rules differently and, sometimes, fiercely defend their views. Let’s break down the drama and explore why this problem became so controversial.
Mathematics isn’t always fun. The problem goes like this: 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2)
At first glance, it seems simple. But simplicity is deceptive. Depending on how you interpret the order of operations, the answer can be either 1 or 16.
The Case for 16 According to the PEMDAS/BODMAS rule (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction), equations or problems should be solved in the order indicated by the abbreviation, starting with parentheses, then exponents, and continuing with the remaining operations – always left to right.
This means that 2 + 2 in parentheses should be solved first, leaving people with 8 ÷ 2 × 4. After this, the equation requires solving the leftmost operation first, so 8 ÷ 2 must be solved before 2 × 4.
This gives us 4, leading to 4 × 4, equaling 16. 2 + 2 = 4 8 ÷ 2 = 4 4 × 4 = 16
However, a significant portion of the online community disagrees with this interpretation, including some mathematicians well-versed in the subject.
Mike Breen from the American Mathematical Society’s Public Awareness Office said: ‘the way this equation is written is ambiguous.’
Working with Popular Mechanics to solve this equation, Breen adds: ‘In mathematics, there are often ambiguities. Mathematicians try to make rules as precise as possible. According to strict order of operations, you get 16, but I wouldn’t slap someone’s wrist with a ruler if they said 1.’
The Case for 1 How did they get the answer 1?
The team followed the PEMDAS rule but interpreted it differently. While they agreed that 2 + 2 inside the parentheses should be solved first, they argued that the resulting sum should be treated as if it were still inside the parentheses, effectively rewriting the equation as 8 ÷ 2(4), giving us 1.
Addressing this huge question, Rhett Allain, Ph.D., associate professor of physics at Southeastern Louisiana University, says: ‘This is the mathematical version of the question: ‘What color is this dress? Blue and black or gold and white?”
Rhett says the answer is 16.
‘Of course, this isn’t mathematics. It’s convention. We have conventions for how to write these things, just like we have conventions for how to write words. But there are still different conventions. Some people write ‘gray,’ and others write ‘grey’.’ He adds: ‘We still understand what’s going on. For me, I would write this more explicitly so there wouldn’t be any confusion… That way, no one would make a mistake.’
Conclusion Whether you’re on team 16 or team 1, this viral phenomenon proves one thing: mathematics has never been more confusing or more entertaining! So, which side are you on? Let us know in the comments!