6/2(1+2)

About

6÷2(1+2) is a math equation whose answer has sparked debate on social media, particularly on Twitter in April of 2021. People have generally concluded the answer was either 1 or 9 based on their understanding of the order of operations. By applying the PEMDAS order of operations, some Twitter users interpreted the equation as (6/2)(3), which would make 9, while others read it as 6/(2×3), making 1. The equation is similar to other viral math equations 48÷2(9+3) = ? and 8÷2(2+2) = ?.

Origin

While it's unclear where the viral equation was first posted online, it has been circulating online since at least 2016. On August 31st, 2016, YouTuber MindYourDecisions posted an explanation on the equation that pointed out how PEMDAS and many modern internet calculators such as those on Google and Wolfram Alpha would give the answer as 9, but there is historical precedent for the correct answer being 1. The video gained over 16 million views in nearly five years (shown below).

Spread

On April 18th, 2021, Twitter user @lesvity^[1] posted the equation to Twitter with the caption, "How can you guys get anything other than 7…", possibly trolling. The tweet gained over 500 retweets, 10,000 quote tweets, and 2,000 likes in one day (shown below).

The equation divided Twitter users between those who felt its answer was 1 and those who felt it was 9. User @itsmagik^[2] pointed out that the reason for different answers was due to how people were visualizing the question, with some interpreting it as (6/2) x (1+2) and others reading it as 6 / (2(1+2)) (shown below, left). User @ReejFPS^[3] noted how strictly following PEMDAS and would give users 9 and using the distributive property would give users 1 (shown below, right). The debate caused "PEMDAS" to trend on Twitter on April 19th.^[4]

Search Interest

Unavailable

External References