Simple arithmetic puzzles can confuse people when they rush through the calculation or let a misleading hint distract them. This viral challenge presents the equation 90 ÷ 10 + 7 × 2 alongside the message, “Answer is NOT 18!” At first glance, the warning may make the problem seem more complicated than it really is.

The key to solving the puzzle is following the standard order of operations. Multiplication and division must be completed before addition, and multiplication and division are evaluated from left to right when they appear together. This means you should calculate each part of the equation before combining the results.

First, divide 90 by 10 to get 9. Next, multiply 7 by 2 to get 14. With those calculations complete, the original equation becomes 9 + 14, which equals 23. The correct answer is therefore 23, not 18 or 32.

The warning in the puzzle is technically correct, but it is also a distraction from the real task: applying the rules of arithmetic carefully. The equation does not require a calculator or complicated mathematical tricks—just a clear understanding of the order of operations. Did you arrive at 23 immediately, or did the “NOT 18!” message make you stop and think twice? 🔢