At first glance, this equation looks simple enough to solve in just a few seconds. Some people may rush through it from left to right and calculate 4 × 4 = 16, then subtract 4, divide by 4, and add 4. That quick approach might give you 7, but there’s a problem: math expressions must follow the order of operations.

Using PEMDAS, multiplication and division are handled before addition and subtraction. So, start by solving the multiplication: 4 × 4 = 16. Then solve the division: 4 ÷ 4 = 1. Notice that you don’t subtract 4 before dealing with the division. This is where the common mistake happens. 🧠

Now replace those completed operations in the original equation. What remains is 16 – 1 + 4. Since addition and subtraction have the same priority, you work through them from left to right: first, 16 – 1 gives 15, and then 15 + 4 gives the final result. Don’t let the simple-looking numbers fool you! 👀

So, the correct answer is 19. 🎯 The key is remembering that multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction, while operations of equal priority are evaluated from left to right. Did you get 19 on your first attempt, or did the tempting left-to-right calculation lead you to 7?