Can you solve this math puzzle

Have you ever come across a math problem that seems easy at first glance, only to realize that most people get it wrong? The equation 9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = ? is one such puzzle that confuses many. It looks simple, but if you’re not careful, you might end up with the wrong answer.

Are you ready to put your math skills to the test? Take a moment to solve it before reading ahead. Think you got it right? Let’s find out!

Why Do So Many People Get This Wrong?

At first glance, this equation appears straightforward. However, small details in mathematical rules trip people up. Here are some common mistakes that lead to the wrong answer:

1. Ignoring the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) – Many people solve the problem from left to right without following the correct order of operations.
2. Misplacing Parentheses (Even When They Aren’t Written) – Some assume parentheses where there are none, changing how they approach division and subtraction.
3. Rushing Through the Calculation – The problem is designed to look easy, so people tend to solve it quickly and overlook critical steps.

So, what’s the correct approach? Let’s break it down step by step.

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this equation correctly, we must follow the order of operations. The most commonly used rule is PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).

Video : Find The Missing Number – Hard Math Puzzle

The given equation:
9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9

Step 1: Solve the Division First

According to PEMDAS, division comes before subtraction and addition. So, let’s divide first:

• 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
• 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1

Now, substitute these values back into the equation:

9 – 1 + 9 – 1

Step 2: Perform Addition and Subtraction from Left to Right

Now, we calculate in order from left to right:

• 9 – 1 = 8
• 8 + 9 = 17
• 17 – 1 = 16

So, the correct answer is: 16

Common Incorrect Answers and Why They Happen

Many people arrive at incorrect answers because they don’t follow the correct order of operations. Here are some of the most common mistakes:

• Answer: 0 – This happens when someone groups all the numbers together without following PEMDAS, incorrectly simplifying the problem as:
  9−9−9+9−9=09 – 9 – 9 + 9 – 9 = 09−9−9+9−9=0
• Answer: 1 – Some mistakenly subtract 9 from itself first before dividing, leading to:
  (9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1(9 – 9) ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = 1(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1

These errors reinforce the importance of following the correct mathematical rules step by step.

Why Understanding Order of Operations Matters

You might wonder—why does it even matter? Well, mathematics is built on logical rules, and following them correctly ensures we get consistent, accurate answers. The order of operations is used in everything from programming to engineering to everyday calculations.

Video : Only 1% of people pass this logic test

Think about it this way: If a recipe tells you to bake a cake at 350°F for 30 minutes before adding frosting, you wouldn’t reverse the steps, right? Math works the same way—sequence matters!

Put Your Skills to the Test

Did you get the correct answer? Share your response in the comments! Were you surprised by how easy it was to make a mistake?

If you enjoy solving puzzles like this, challenge your friends and see if they can get it right! Math riddles help improve problem-solving skills and boost logical thinking.

Want more brain teasers like this? Keep testing yourself with tricky puzzles and improve your critical thinking skills! Who knows? The next time you see a math problem like this, you might be among the 10% who get it right on the first try!

Donna Mills became a mom at 54 & found new love at 60 – At 82 she’s still an iconic blonde & looks radiant

Actress Donna Mills is one of those women who are gifted with exceptional beauty. No matter how many years pass by, they still look as gorgeous as ever.Her looks, along with her talent, helped Mills become a household name. From the moment she landed a role on the CBS daytime soap opera The Secret Storm in 1966, it was obvious she was meant for great things. As all eyes were on her, her career skyrocketed with the iconic role of scheming, manipulative vixen Abby Cunningham on the long-running primetime soap opera Knots Landing and a major recurring guest-starring role in the popular soap opera General Hospital.

At the same time as her career blossomed, Mills was also trying to find love. Eventually, she started a relationship with guitarist Richard Holland, the ex-husband of singer Chaka Khan with whom he had a son, Damian. Many believed that Mills and Holland made a somewhat odd couple as their personalities were very different. She perceived herself as an active and motivated go-getter, while Holland rarely found motivation to do things. Those close to him always described him as laid back.The public even believed that he was with her for her money and the comfort she provided for him. Shortly after they started a relationship, Holland settled with Mills in her $1.5 million mansion where she prepared a room for his son who visited them and sometimes stayed with them over the weekends.

The two stayed together and she always considered their relationship “turbulent.” During the 20 years they were going on and off, they never started a family or had a child on their own.Mills was way too busy building her career and never felt like something was missing in her life, until she reached 54 and decided she wanted to become a mother. Many criticized her decision, saying it was late for her to embark on such a journey as parenthood, but Mills was determined to have a child. In 1994, at the height of her acting career, Mills adopted daughter Chloe, who was just four days old.The role of a mother was so fitting to Mills that she made a shocking decision to put her career on hold and focus on raising her baby girl.Even today, 28 years after Chloe entered her life, their mother-daughter bond is as strong as ever.Chloe is a celebrity in her own right. She is an influencer and a model, as well as a member of the popular California-based arts, politics and media club Soho House. She’s dating musician Bailey Joshua.Just like her daughter, Mills found love herself. Although her relationship with Holland was an unstable one, the Knots Landing star never lost hope of falling in love again. For the last 20 years, she’s been together with another Hollywood star, actor and producer Larry Gilman, whom she describes as her soul mate.He is best known for his roles in the television series Texas Rangers between 1980 to 1981, the feature film Secrets, and the popular CBS war comedy-drama television series, M*A*S*H.In 2015, he surprised her with a vineyard.

Recently, Mills posed alongside two other stars of her kind, Linda Gray and Joan Collins. The three 80s lead women appeared radiant and glowing, leaving their fans in awe.It’s safe to say that the three actresses defy age.The trio had come together for a magazine shoot, as was evident from Mills’ caption, which read:“What a delight working with these lovely ladies. Thank you Hello Magazine @hellomag for a terrific story in your latest issue.”Mills was dressed in a sparkling pink outfit, while Collins stunned in a gorgeous black dress and Gray opted for a shimmery gray and silver attire.As expected, the post attracted the attention of many who dubbed the three ladies “icons,” “soap queens,” and “legends.”

“Dallas, Dynasty & Knots Landing in one frame. These Iconic ladies made those shows!” a fan wrote.