At first glance, this math puzzle looks so easy that almost anyone could solve it in seconds. There are no complicated equations, no fractions, and no advanced mathematical formulas. Just four numbers and three familiar operations. Yet this simple challenge has sparked debates because people keep arriving at different answers.

The equation is 90 ÷ 10 + 7 × 2 = ?

Above the puzzle, a bold statement reads, “The Answer Is NOT 18!” But is that statement correct, or is it simply designed to make people second-guess themselves? Some people immediately start calculating from left to right, while others remember a rule they learned years ago in school.

The interesting part is that even people who feel confident about their mathematical abilities can make mistakes when solving expressions like this too quickly. One small misunderstanding can completely change the final result.

Before revealing the solution, try solving the equation without using a calculator. Pay close attention to which operations should come first.The secret to solving this puzzle is understanding the mathematical rule known as the order of operations, commonly remembered as PEMDAS or BODMAS.

These rules explain which calculations must be completed first when an expression contains different mathematical operations.

Multiplication and division have equal priority, and both must be completed before addition and subtraction. When operations share the same priority, they are performed from left to right.

Now, let’s examine the original equation:

90 ÷ 10 + 7 × 2 = ?

The first step is division. We calculate 90 divided by 10, which equals 9.

Next comes multiplication. We multiply 7 by 2, which equals 14.

After completing these two operations, the original expression becomes much simpler:

9 + 14 = ?

Now there is only one operation remaining: addition.

Adding 9 and 14 gives us 23.

That means the correct mathematical answer is 23, not 18.

But why do some people arrive at different answers?

One common mistake is calculating everything strictly from left to right without respecting the priority of multiplication.

Someone using that incorrect method might divide 90 by 10 to get 9, add 7 to get 16, and then multiply by 2 to get 32.

Although that approach may seem logical at first, it ignores the standard order of operations.

The puzzle demonstrates how important it is to remember the basic mathematical rules we learned in school.

Even a short equation can become confusing when we rush through the calculations.

The statement claiming that the answer is not 18 is therefore correct, but the real challenge is understanding why.

Final answer: 23.

Did you get 23 on your first attempt, or did you calculate a different number? Share your answer in the comments!