At first glance, this math puzzle looks incredibly easy:
6 + 6 × 0 + 6 = ?
Yet thousands of people get it wrong because they rush through the calculation without following the correct order of operations.
The biggest mistake is adding the numbers from left to right. While that may seem natural, mathematics follows a specific set of rules known as the order of operations (PEMDAS or BODMAS).
Here’s how to solve it correctly.
Step 1: Perform multiplication before addition.
6 × 0 = 0
Now the equation becomes:
6 + 0 + 6
Step 2: Add the remaining numbers from left to right.
6 + 0 = 6
6 + 6 = 12
The correct answer is:
12
Why do so many people answer 0 or 18?
It’s because they either forget that multiplication always comes before addition or they accidentally calculate the expression strictly from left to right.
Puzzles like this are popular because they test whether you remember the basic rules of arithmetic—not because the math is difficult. Even simple equations can fool people when they’re solved too quickly.
The next time you see a viral math challenge online, take a second to apply the order of operations before answering. A careful approach is often the difference between the correct answer and a very common mistake.
Final Answer: **12**
