Let’s break down the equation step by step using the standard order of operations. The expression is 7 × 6 ÷ 3 + 4. Because multiplication and division come before addition, we deal with those operations first. And because multiplication and division have equal priority, we work through them from left to right.

The first operation is therefore 7 × 6. Seven multiplied by six equals 42. That changes our original equation into something much simpler: 42 ÷ 3 + 4. We still have a division operation remaining, so we must complete it before moving on to the final addition.

Next, divide 42 by 3. That gives us 14. The equation has now been reduced to 14 + 4. At this point, there are no multiplication or division operations remaining, so we can finally perform the addition.

Fourteen plus four equals 18. Therefore, the mathematically correct answer is 18. The puzzle is a useful reminder that multiplication does not automatically come before division when they appear together—they have equal priority and are evaluated from left to right. The same principle applies to addition and subtraction. A simple-looking equation can become confusing when that small but important rule is overlooked.