A viral math puzzle is confusing people online with what looks like a simple calculation: 45 ÷ 5 + 3 × 2 – 6. Many people rush to solve it and get the wrong answer because they forget an important mathematical rule. Before revealing the solution, take a moment and try it yourself. Can you get the correct answer without falling into the trap?

The Common Mistake: Some people calculate everything from left to right, adding and multiplying before considering the proper order of operations. But mathematics follows specific rules known as PEMDAS or BODMAS. Multiplication and division must be completed first, working from left to right, followed by addition and subtraction, also from left to right.

Let’s Solve It Step by Step: First, divide 45 by 5 to get 9. Next, multiply 3 by 2 to get 6. The expression now becomes 9 + 6 – 6. Add 9 and 6 to get 15, but don’t stop there! You still have one final operation to complete: subtracting 6 from 15.

The Final Answer Is 9! 🎯 Once you subtract 6, you are left with 9. That’s the only correct answer when following the standard order of operations. Many people stop at 15 because they overlook the final subtraction. Did you solve it correctly on your first attempt, or did this puzzle trick you? Share your answer in the comments!