Be Honest: What Answer Did You Get First?
Did this math puzzle trick you?
The problem was:
40 – 6 × 3 + 1 = ?
Many people rush through it and get the wrong answer because they forget one of the most important rules in mathematics: multiplication must be completed before addition and subtraction.
The Correct Answer: 23
Here’s the correct solution:
- Calculate the multiplication first:
6 × 3 = 18 - Substitute the result:
40 – 18 + 1 - Work from left to right:
40 – 18 = 2222 + 1 = 23
Final Answer: 23
Why So Many People Get It Wrong
A common mistake is reading the equation from left to right and subtracting 6 before multiplying.
That approach ignores the order of operations and leads to an incorrect answer.
These simple-looking puzzles are great for testing concentration and attention to detail because they challenge you to slow down and think carefully before answering.
Now be honest…
What answer did you get before checking the solution?
