In many countries, students learn this rule as:
PEMDAS
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication and Division
- Addition and Subtraction
Others may know it as:
BODMAS
- Brackets
- Orders
- Division and Multiplication
- Addition and Subtraction
Both systems teach the same principle: multiplication must be completed before addition and subtraction.
Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Perform the Multiplication
Look at:
25 × 0
Any number multiplied by zero equals zero.
So the equation becomes:
50 + 50 − 0 + 2 + 2
Step 2: Complete Addition and Subtraction
Now work from left to right:
- 50 + 50 = 100
- 100 − 0 = 100
- 100 + 2 = 102
- 102 + 2 = 104
The Correct Answer
104
If you got 104 on your first attempt, congratulations—you remembered the order of operations correctly.
Why Brain Teasers Like This Go Viral
Puzzles like this spread quickly because they expose a common habit: solving too fast.
Even people who are confident with numbers sometimes overlook a multiplication sign or forget a basic math rule when they rush.
That’s what makes these challenges so entertaining. They appear simple, but they test attention to detail more than mathematical ability.
The Real Lesson
The puzzle isn’t difficult because of complex math. It’s difficult because it encourages people to ignore the rules they’ve known for years.
A single multiplication sign hidden in the middle changes everything.
That’s why these brain teasers remain popular—they remind us that slowing down for a few seconds can make the difference between the wrong answer and the right one.
Final Answer: 104
