Here’s a short math puzzle that can catch you out if you calculate every number in the order it appears:
130 + 20 × 0 + 6 = ?
Which operation comes first?
The key is the order of operations. Multiplication is done before addition, even if the multiplication symbol appears later in the expression.
Start with 20 × 0 = 0. This means the middle term contributes nothing to the final total.
After completing the multiplication, the expression becomes 130 + 0 + 6.
The correct answer
136 is the answer. Adding zero doesn’t change 130, and adding the final six gives 136.
A common mistake is to add 130 and 20 first, then multiply by zero. That changes the grouping of the expression and produces the wrong result. Unless parentheses tell you otherwise, multiplication comes before addition.
Could you get 136 without reaching for your calculator? Pass the puzzle along to someone who enjoys a quick number challenge.
