Here’s the challenge: 24 / 4(6 – 4). Seems simple, right? Think again—85% of people get it wrong! Let’s break it down and uncover why this problem trips people up.
The Problem
The equation: 24 / 4(6 – 4)
First, handle the parentheses:
6 – 4 = 2
Now the equation is: 24 / 4 × 2
Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division, Addition & Subtraction) is the key. Multiplication and division are treated equally—solve them left to right, not by appearance.
- 24 ÷ 4 = 6
- 6 × 2 = 12
The correct answer: 12.
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