Football fans may disagree about the GOAT, but this puzzle has people arguing just as passionately!
The expression is:
5 + 15 – 5 × 2 = ?
Two answers appear:
- 30
- 10
So who’s correct?
Why Do People Get Different Answers?
The confusion comes from forgetting the order of operations.
In mathematics, calculations are performed in this order:
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)
This rule is often remembered as PEMDAS or BODMAS.
Let’s Solve It Step by Step
Expression:
5 + 15 – 5 × 2
Step 1: Multiply first
5 × 2 = 10
Now the expression becomes:
5 + 15 – 10
Step 2: Add
5 + 15 = 20
Now:
20 – 10 = 10
✅ Correct Answer: 10
The answer 30 comes from solving strictly left to right:
5 + 15 = 20
20 – 5 = 15
15 × 2 = 30
This method ignores the standard order of operations, which is why it’s incorrect.
Why This Puzzle Goes Viral
Simple-looking equations often trick people into rushing their calculations. Our brains naturally want to solve problems from left to right, but mathematics follows a specific set of rules.
That’s exactly why puzzles like this spark thousands of comments online—many people answer too quickly without applying the correct order of operations.
Final Answer
🎯 5 + 15 – 5 × 2 = 10
Did you get it right on your first try, or were you tempted to answer 30? Share your result and challenge a friend to see if they know the rule!
