This straightforward math equation has been causing a massive debate on social media! It looks exactly like a problem you would have easily solved in grade school, but it is tricking a surprising number of adults today.
The image clearly warns that the answer is not 25, and asks you to solve: 50 − 5 × 0 + 5.
What makes this puzzle so tricky is that we naturally want to read and solve it straight from left to right. If you do that, you might subtract the first 5 to get 45, then multiply by 0 to get 0, and quickly find yourself completely off track! That × 0 in the middle of the problem is a classic trap.
To get the right answer, you have to remember the golden rule of math: the order of operations. This rule states that multiplication and division must always be completed before addition and subtraction.
So, your very first step is to tackle the multiplication section. 5 × 0 simply gives you 0.
When you put that zero back into the problem, the equation becomes incredibly easy: 50 − 0 + 5.
Now you can just add and subtract from left to right. 50 minus 0 is still 50, and adding the final 5 brings you directly to your solution.
Answer: 55.
