This quick math puzzle asks you to solve 9 + 1 × 0 + 8. It looks simple, but the order of operations decides the correct answer.
The answer is 17.
Multiplication must be completed before addition. Start with:
1 × 0 = 0.
The expression then becomes:
9 + 0 + 8 = 17.
A common mistake is to work straight from left to right and ignore the standard order of operations. Multiplying by zero removes the middle term completely, leaving only the two numbers on either side to add together.
If you got 17, you applied the rule correctly. These small equations are designed to test whether you slow down and calculate in the proper sequence.
