Challenge: Can you solve this math problem for middle schoolers – without a calculator?
Classic brain training methods are perhaps puzzles like crosswords or sudoku, but I have recently become more attracted to the type of challenge you’ll see below.
These puzzles have been flooding the web lately, probably because they are really fun!
These are old classic mathematical problems. When you were in middle or high school.
These math problems are more fun when you find yourself trying to remember the math you learned as a child.
Can you figure out the correct solution?
Here is the challenge, in the picture below.
At the top of the picture, we see the task and then four possible answers.
Which solution do you think is the correct one?
How did you come up with it?
Take your time and think about it to find the correct solution.
Done? Below you can check if you picked the right number!
A
B
C
The correct answer
The correct answer is B: 12.
Why is 12 the correct answer?
Well, if you remember from your school days, according to the order of operations, you do multiplication before addition and subtraction, so you start by solving 3 x 3, which results in 9.
Then we are left with a simpler math problem: 3 + 9 – 3 + 3
The answer is therefore 12.
Did you pick the correct number? Congratulations!
Is It Difficult To Find The “Right” Answer?
Solve This Genius-Level Number Wheel Puzzle!
Imagine the Internet buzzing with excitement as everyone tries to solve a puzzle that has left many scratching their heads. Sounds intriguing, right? At first glance, this puzzle seems like a simple arithmetic problem, but hold on. It demands a spark of genius to solve.
The Puzzle Challenge
Laid out before us is a sequence of numbers, whispering secrets to those perceptive enough to decode them. The bold claim, “only for geniuses,” isn’t just a bluff. It’s a maze-like challenge that invites keen detectives to step up and demonstrate their mental prowess.
Decoding the Puzzle: Discover the ‘Right’ Answer
Initially, you might think you need to flex your arithmetic muscles. But here’s the twist: the puzzle has not one but two sets of possible answers. Yes, you read that right. In the first set, 5 multiplied by a mystery number equals 5. So, if 5 = 5 x ?, the magic number is 1. Alternatively, think of it this way: 5 x 5 = ?, which gives us 25. But wait, the quest doesn’t stop there!
Exploring Another Solution: Division
Now, add division into the mix, and another set of solutions emerges. Picture this: 5 = 5/?, and once again, the answer is 1. Alternatively, consider ?/5 = 5, and you’ll arrive at 25. It’s a beautiful dance of numbers and operations, with each step bringing you closer to the elusive ‘right’ answer. Which pathway did you take to solve it? What answer did your detective skills uncover?
Beyond Numbers: A Test of Lateral Thinking
This isn’t just a numbers game. It tests lateral thinking and takes you on a journey into the heart of cognitive flexibility. The brilliance of the puzzle lies not only in its final answer but also in the adventurous cerebral journey it initiates. It transforms a simple equation into a labyrinth of patterns, urging us to think beyond the obvious and celebrate our intellectual curiosity.
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