The secret to solving this puzzle is understanding the order of operations, a mathematical rule that determines which calculations must be completed first. Many people remember learning this rule at school under the names PEMDAS or BODMAS. Both describe the same basic principle: parentheses and exponents are handled first, followed by multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction. Operations with equal priority are performed from left to right. Although this equation looks straightforward, forgetting that multiplication takes priority over addition can completely change the result.

Let’s examine the original expression: 45 ÷ 5 + 3 × 2 − 6. Since there are no parentheses or exponents, we begin with division and multiplication. First, divide 45 by 5, which gives us 9. Our equation now becomes 9 + 3 × 2 − 6. Next, multiply 3 by 2, which equals 6. This simplifies the entire problem to 9 + 6 − 6. At this stage, all multiplication and division have been completed, leaving only addition and subtraction. The equation is now much easier, but there’s still one final step that some people overlook.

Now we calculate from left to right. Adding 9 and 6 gives us 15. This is where someone rushing through the puzzle might stop and announce that the answer is 15. However, the equation isn’t finished! We still need to subtract the final 6. When we calculate 15 − 6, we get 9. Another easy way to understand the result is to notice that adding 6 and subtracting 6 cancel each other out. That leaves us with the original 9 from the first division. Therefore, the correct answer is 9, not 15 or 18.

What makes this puzzle so entertaining is that it doesn’t require advanced mathematics. Instead, it tests whether we remember a basic rule and pay attention to every part of the expression. Sometimes our brains try to reach an answer as quickly as possible, especially when a problem appears familiar. That’s why simple arithmetic challenges can spark surprisingly lively discussions among friends and family. The next time you encounter a math puzzle online, resist the temptation to answer immediately. Check the order of operations, complete every calculation, and then compare your result with everyone else’s. You may discover that taking just a few extra seconds makes all the difference!

🧠✏️ The correct answer is 9! Did you get it right on your first try, or did you initially think it was 15? Be honest and share your answer in the comments!