This deceptively simple equation has sparked huge debates online. Following the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), we first solve the parentheses: 2 + 2 = 4.
The expression becomes 8 ÷ 2(4). According to standard left-to-right rules for multiplication and division, this equals 16 (because 8 ÷ 2 = 4, then 4 × 4 = 16).
However, some people interpret the 2(4) as a single term and get 1. That’s why it’s so divisive! The correct modern answer is 16.

