When it comes to math problems, sometimes the simplest-looking equations can be tricky. Consider the following:
9 – 9 / 9 + 9 – 9 / 9
At first glance, it might seem easy enough to solve, but there’s a key rule to remember: the order of operations. This is a crucial part of math that helps avoid confusion in calculations. In the world of math, we use the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)) to guide us. Let’s break down the problem step by step, using this rule.
Step-by-Step Solution:
The equation:
9 – 9 / 9 + 9 – 9 / 9
Step 1: Division First
According to PEMDAS, we need to handle division before addition or subtraction. So, start by dividing:
- 9 / 9 = 1
- 9 / 9 = 1
Now, substitute these values back into the equation:
9 – 1 + 9 – 1
Step 2: Left to Right Subtraction and Addition
Now, we’ll go from left to right, handling subtraction and addition in order:
- 9 – 1 = 8
- 8 + 9 = 17
- 17 – 1 = 16
Final Answer:
16
