Accountants assemble. A math sum has gone viral.
A simple maths equation has been dividing the internet and as of this morning, has already started a few disagreements in our office.
8 ÷ 2(2+2) = ?
The equation in question was tweeted by @pjmdolI a few days ago and so far has thousands of replies and retweets.
Even mathematics experts are wading in - why? Because people are coming out with two different answers: 1 and 16.
The answer depends on whether you perform the multiplication or division first.
In short, whether you use the PEDMAS and BODMAS method.
PEMDAS method: the order of operations is Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction, typically from left to right
BODMAS method: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
People who believe the answer is 1 are working out all of the brackets stuff first.
So you do '2 + 2' and the sum simplifies to '8 ÷ 2(4)'. You then still have brackets so you have to do '2 x 4' before continuing on. This gives you '8 ÷ 8' which equals 1.
However, those who think it’s 16 believe that when you get to '8 ÷ 2(4)', you do '8 ÷ 2' first because they're both outside of the brackets. This gives you 4(4) which equals 16.
