You’re Smart Enough to Solve This “Tricky” Math Riddle: A Fun Refresher on Order of Operations

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Brain teasers never really go out of style. Whether it’s a crossword on a lazy Sunday, a daily sudoku streak, or a “gotcha” riddle that your friend swears is impossible, puzzles hook us because they’re both fun and satisfying. Lately, one particular kind of challenge has been making the rounds online: short math problems that look harmless at first glance—but turn out to be trickier than expected. If you’ve ever stared at a line of numbers and symbols and thought, “Wait, do I multiply first or add first?”—you’re in exactly the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk through a classic “school math” riddle that hinges on a single idea: order of operations. We’ll explain what that means, why so many people trip over it, and how a calm, step-by-step approach can take you from uncertainty to “aha!” in seconds. Along the way, you’ll get mini-exercises, pro tips, and common pitfalls to avoid. By the end, you won’t just know the answer to the riddle—you’ll remember why it’s the answer.

Why These Puzzles Feel Tricky (Even for Adults)

If math class feels like a lifetime ago, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t use formal algebra or geometry every day, so rusty skills are normal. But that’s exactly what makes quick math riddles so enjoyable: they’re short, they’re fair, and they give your brain a refreshing stretch. The “trickiness” usually comes from misremembering the order of operations—the convention we use to decide which calculation happens first in an expression.

When you were a kid, you might have learned the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) or BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction). Both mean the same thing:

  1. Do what’s inside Parentheses/Brackets first.

  2. Then handle Exponents/Orders.

  3. Next, do Multiplication and Division in the order they appear from left to right.

  4. Finally, do Addition and Subtraction in the order they appear from left to right.

That “left to right” rule for the pairs (Multiplication/Division and Addition/Subtraction) is the part people forget. Multiplication doesn’t always come before division; they’re on the same level. Same with addition and subtraction. You move left to right within each level.

The Challenge Setup: Pick the Right Answer

Imagine you’re scrolling and you see a simple line of math with three multiple-choice answers—A, B, and C. The comments are full of people arguing, some swearing they got it in two seconds, others saying the “real” answer is different. You lean in, determined to get it right.

Here’s the key idea that unlocks the puzzle:

First apply the order of operations. Multiply (and/or divide) before you add (and/or subtract). Then evaluate left to right within each tier.

That’s it. Do that, and the confusion evaporates.

A Typical Example (And Why the Answer Is 3)

Let’s work through a representative expression you might see in these viral posts:

1 + 2 × 1 = ?

At first glance, some folks add 1 + 2 to get 3, then multiply by 1 to stay at 3—which accidentally works here but for the wrong reason. The right way, by PEMDAS/BODMAS, is:

  1. Multiplication first: 2×1=22 × 1 = 2

  2. Then addition: 1+2=31 + 2 = 3

Final answer: 3.

This exact structure is the backbone of many “gotcha” problems: they rely on the reader doing everything left-to-right without honoring the operation tiers. You might also encounter slightly longer versions such as:

  • 8 − 5 × 1 + 0

    • Multiply first: 5×1=55 × 1 = 5

    • Then left to right with addition/subtraction: 8−5+0=3+0=38 − 5 + 0 = 3 + 0 = 3

    • Answer: 3

  • 10 − 2 × 3 + 1

    • Multiply first: 2×3=62 × 3 = 6

    • Then left to right: 10−6+1=4+1=510 − 6 + 1 = 4 + 1 = 5

    • Answer: 5

The expression in your viral image may differ, but the logic remains the same. If your puzzle’s official solution says the answer is 3, odds are it looks like one of the examples above and depends on applying multiplication before addition.

Step-by-Step: How to Solve Order-of-Operations Riddles

When you face one of these puzzles, use this tiny checklist:

  1. Scan for parentheses/brackets.

    • Anything inside gets done first. If there are nested brackets, start from the innermost.

  2. Check for exponents (squares, cubes, powers).

    • Handle those next.

  3. Do multiplication and division, left to right.

    • Treat them as equals at the same level; don’t automatically do all multiplications before all divisions.

  4. Do addition and subtraction, left to right.

    • Same deal: equals at the same level, resolved from left to right.

Quick Demo

Expression: 7 + 3 × (4 − 1)

  • Parentheses: 4−1=34 − 1 = 3

  • Multiplication: 3×3=93 × 3 = 9

  • Addition: 7+9=167 + 9 = 16

Answer: 16.
If you skipped the parentheses first, you’d get nonsense.

Why People Disagree in the Comments

Short answer: formatting and assumptions.

  • Formatting: On social media, spacing can be inconsistent. For example, “2(3+1)” means 2×(3+1)2 × (3+1), but some readers miss that implied multiplication.

  • Assumptions: Some expressions are intentionally ambiguous or use typography that leads people to different interpretations (e.g., 6÷2(1+2)6 ÷ 2(1+2)). In standard school math, we interpret the expression with the conventional left-to-right rule for division and multiplication, but not everyone remembers that.

  • Mental shortcuts: People often do “whatever is fastest,” which works until it doesn’t.

The good news is that the vast majority of viral puzzles have a clear, intended answer when you apply the standard rules. And—in the type of riddle you’re reading now—that intended answer is 3 once you respect multiplication before addition and then proceed left to right.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

  1. Doing everything left to right without prioritizing multiplication/division.

    • Fix: Always scan for × and ÷ before + and −.

  2. Treating multiplication as always before division.

    • Fix: Multiply and divide in the order they appear from left to right.

  3. Ignoring parentheses (or forgetting implied multiplication next to parentheses).

    • Fix: Anything inside parentheses happens first. An expression like 2(3+1)2(3+1) is 2×(3+1)2 × (3+1).

  4. Dropping signs during multi-step work.

    • Fix: Rewrite each intermediate line carefully. Keep track of +/−.

  5. Rushing because the puzzle “looks easy.”

    • Fix: Take a breath. One neat line at a time.

Mini Practice Set (With Answers)

Try these quickly. Don’t peek!

  1. 3 + 4 × 2

  2. 12 ÷ 3 × 2

  3. 18 − 6 ÷ 3

  4. 5 + 6 − 2 × 3

  5. 2(3 + 4) − 5

  6. 10 − (2 + 3) × 2

  7. 4 + 12 ÷ (2 × 3)

  8. 8 − 5 × 1 + 0

  9. 7 + 3 × (4 − 1)

  10. 9 − 3 × 2 + 1

Solutions

  1. Multiply first: 4×2=84 × 2 = 8; then add: 3+8=113 + 8 = 11.

  2. Left to right for ÷ and ×: (12÷3)×2=4×2=8(12 ÷ 3) × 2 = 4 × 2 = 8.

  3. Divide first: 6÷3=26 ÷ 3 = 2; then subtract: 18−2=1618 − 2 = 16.

  4. Multiply first: 2×3=62 × 3 = 6; then left to right: 5+6−6=11−6=55 + 6 − 6 = 11 − 6 = 5.

  5. Parentheses: 3+4=73 + 4 = 7; implied multiplication: 2×7=142 × 7 = 14; then 14−5=914 − 5 = 9.

  6. Parentheses: 2+3=52 + 3 = 5; multiply: 5×2=105 × 2 = 10; then 10−10=010 − 10 = 0.

  7. Parentheses first: 2×3=62 × 3 = 6; then 12÷6=212 ÷ 6 = 2; finally 4+2=64 + 2 = 6.

  8. Multiply first: 5×1=55 × 1 = 5; then 8−5+0=38 − 5 + 0 = 3.

  9. Parentheses: 4−1=34 − 1 = 3; then 3×3=93 × 3 = 9; finally 7+9=167 + 9 = 16.

  10. Multiply first: 3×2=63 × 2 = 6; then 9−6+1=3+1=49 − 6 + 1 = 3 + 1 = 4.

Notice #8 yields 3, matching the kind of answer many viral riddles land on when the rules are applied correctly.

What If There Are Exponents or Fractions?

Order of operations still rules the day—just with an extra layer.

  • Exponents: Do them immediately after parentheses.

    • Example: 2+32×2=2+9×2=2+18=202 + 3^2 × 2 = 2 + 9 × 2 = 2 + 18 = 20.

  • Fractions: If the whole numerator/denominator is grouped, treat each part as if it’s inside parentheses.

    • Example: 6+22×(1+2)\dfrac{6 + 2}{2 × (1 + 2)}

      • Top: 6+2=86 + 2 = 8

      • Bottom parentheses: 1+2=31 + 2 = 3, then 2×3=62 × 3 = 6

      • Fraction: 8÷6=438 ÷ 6 = \dfrac{4}{3}

Keeping parentheses clear prevents ambiguous readings and “comment section” debates.

Teaching the Idea to Kids (and Re-Teaching It to Yourself)

If you’re brushing up or helping a younger learner:

  • Use color-coding: Circle parentheses in one color, underline exponents in another, box multiplication/division, and squiggle addition/subtraction.

  • Say it out loud: “Parentheses first, then powers, multiply/divide left to right, add/subtract left to right.”

  • Check with estimation: If your final answer is wildly larger or smaller than a quick estimate, retrace your steps.

  • Write each step on a new line: It slows you down just enough to avoid slip-ups.

Variations You Might See in Viral Posts

  1. Implied multiplication next to parentheses: 2(4+1)2(4 + 1) means 2×(4+1)2 × (4 + 1).

  2. Longer chains with zeros and ones: These are designed to bait you into skipping the × first.

  3. Expressions using all four operations: Meant to test left-to-right within each tier.

  4. Creative spacing: Don’t let missing spaces trick you—look for the symbols.

When in doubt, rewrite the expression neatly on paper with clear spacing, then apply the rules.

From Confusion to Confidence: Your Quick “PEMDAS” Card

Keep this tiny reference handy:

  • P: Parentheses → Simplify inside.

  • E: Exponents → Powers/roots.

  • MD: Multiplication/Division → Left to right.

  • AS: Addition/Subtraction → Left to right.

If an expression like the one in your riddle includes both multiplication and addition—with no parentheses changing the order—do the multiplication first, then finish the addition/subtraction from left to right. For the type of puzzle described, that’s exactly why the correct choice is C: 3 (or whichever option corresponds to 3 in the original multiple choice).

A Few More Practice Riddles (Answer Key Below)

Choose the correct result.

A. 4+6÷24 + 6 ÷ 2
B. 2(5−3)+42(5 − 3) + 4
C. 20−4×3+220 − 4 × 3 + 2
D. 32+2×43^2 + 2 × 4
E. 18÷(3×3)+118 ÷ (3 × 3) + 1

Answers

  • A: 6÷2=36 ÷ 2 = 3, then 4+3=74 + 3 = 7.

  • B: Parentheses: 5−3=25 − 3 = 2; multiply: 2×2=42 × 2 = 4; then 4+4=84 + 4 = 8.

  • C: Multiply first: 4×3=124 × 3 = 12; then 20−12+2=1020 − 12 + 2 = 10.

  • D: Exponent: 32=93^2 = 9; multiply: 2×4=82 × 4 = 8; then 9+8=179 + 8 = 17.

  • E: Parentheses: 3×3=93 × 3 = 9; divide: 18÷9=218 ÷ 9 = 2; then 2+1=32 + 1 = 3.

That last one lands on 3 again—handy reinforcement for the lesson.

Final Takeaway (and the Answer)

So, can you solve the riddle using nothing but regular school math? Absolutely.

  • Don’t rush.

  • Respect the order of operations.

  • Multiply/divide before you add/subtract, and work left to right within each tier.

  • Use parentheses to your advantage when rewriting or checking.

Answer to the classic style of riddle described here: 3.

Did you get it on the first try—or did revisiting PEMDAS help it click? Either way, you’ve just given your brain a solid tune-up. Keep a few of these mini-exercises in your back pocket, and the next time a puzzle pops up in your feed, you’ll be ready to nail it—calmly, confidently, and correctly.

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