A math problem for high school students that many adults cannot solve.
Remember… The ringing bell, the multiplication table recited at a rapid pace, the big, squared notebooks and the grades on Monday morning. Just thinking about it brings a gentle wave of nostalgia. But let’s be honest: how long has it been since you last solved a simple math problem? Be careful, it’s not as obvious as it might seem…
A childish calculation… that traps even adults
Here’s an example taken straight from a CE2 textbook (primary school in France). At first glance, everyone thinks they’ll solve this problem easily. But once you start, you’ll quickly realize that the answer isn’t that simple. And here’s where it gets interesting. Ready? Here’s the statement:
6 ÷ 2(1 + 2) = ?
SO? Does any instinctive answer come to mind? If you found 1, you are not alone. But… that is not the correct answer.
Why the majority is wrong
The confusion comes from the interpretation of mathematical symbols and the order of operations. Instinctively, many people read this expression as:
6 ÷ [2 × (1 + 2)]
= 6 ÷ [2 × 3]
= 6 ÷ 6
= 1
But this is not what the principles of priority of actions dictate.
A little reminder of our student years
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