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Can you solve this 5+5x(4x5)-5 math problem in 9 seconds?
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Can you solve this 5+5x(4x5)-5 math problem in 9 seconds?

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A mathematical puzzle involving order of operations is circulating on social media, challenging users to solve it quickly.
  • The problem requires applying the PEMDAS/order of operations rule to correctly calculate the result.
  • Solving such puzzles offers cognitive benefits, including improvements in logic, reasoning, and memory, according to research.

A seemingly simple mathematical calculation, "5 + 5 x (4 x 5) – 5 = ?", has become a viral sensation on social media, sparking debates and challenging users to find the correct answer within a tight nine-second timeframe. The puzzle's popularity stems from its deceptive simplicity, which often leads to incorrect answers when the fundamental rules of mathematical operations are overlooked.

Mathematical calculations have become one of the most shared content on social media.

— Article textIntroduction to the viral math puzzle.

The key to solving this challenge lies in understanding and applying the order of operations, often remembered by acronyms like PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction). This hierarchy dictates the sequence in which different parts of a calculation must be resolved. Ignoring this rule can lead to a cascade of errors, transforming an accessible problem into a frustrating mental hurdle.

To arrive at the correct solution, one must first address the operation within the parentheses: 4 x 5 equals 20. The equation then simplifies to 5 + 5 x 20 – 5. Next, the multiplication is performed: 5 x 20 equals 100, leaving the expression as 5 + 100 – 5. Finally, performing the addition and subtraction from left to right yields the answer: 100.

The essential rule for solving mixed mathematical operations is known as PEMDAS (for its acronym in English) or hierarchy of operations, which establishes the order in which the different parts of a calculation must be resolved.

— Article textExplaining the rule needed to solve the puzzle.

Beyond the immediate challenge, engaging with such mental exercises offers significant cognitive benefits. Research from Princeton University, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that practicing mathematical calculations strengthens brain areas associated with logic, reasoning, and memory, ultimately enhancing decision-making abilities. LA NACION's LN Juegos platform offers a variety of such puzzles, including crosswords, Sudoku, and trivia, designed to stimulate the mind and provide a daily mental workout.

Beyond being a simple mathematical challenge, solving exercises like this has multiple benefits for the mind.

— Article textDiscussing the cognitive advantages of solving math problems.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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