This math puzzle looks simple, but it is designed to catch anyone who ignores the order of operations. The expression is 30 + 20 × 0 + 1.
The correct answer is 31. Multiplication comes before addition, so you first calculate 20 × 0, which equals 0. That leaves 30 + 0 + 1. Adding those numbers gives 31.
A common mistake is to add 30 and 20 first, but that changes the intended order of the expression. These short puzzles are popular because one small rule can completely change the result. The safest approach is always to handle multiplication and division before addition and subtraction unless parentheses tell you otherwise.
