Let’s be honest—we all love a good brain teaser. Whether it’s a riddle, a number trick, or a logic puzzle, there’s something deeply satisfying about cracking a code most people get wrong. The image above dares you to solve what seems like a basic arithmetic problem, but here’s the catch: 90% of people get it wrong on their first try.
So now it’s your turn. Look closely. Think twice. And then try to solve:
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
2 + 2 × 0 + 2 = ?
Looks easy, right?
Take a Deep Breath—Most People Rush This
At first glance, you might feel tempted to treat this problem like a simple row of additions. Many people will quickly look at the image and shout, “It’s 60!” by adding all the numbers across all three lines.
But wait—before jumping to that conclusion, let’s take a step back and do what math teachers always begged us to do: follow the order of operations.
Common Mistake: Ignoring the Rules of Math
Here’s why 90% of people fail this challenge: they forget about PEMDAS or BODMAS.
You remember that, right?
PEMDAS stands for:
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication
- Division
- Addition
- Subtraction
That means multiplication comes before addition.
So when people read that final line:
2 + 2 × 0 + 2
They often just go left to right like it’s one big sum:
2 + 2 = 4
4 × 0 = 0
0 + 2 = 2
But that’s not the correct approach.
Video : 90% Fail to Answer This Correctly!
Step-by-Step Breakdown: Let’s Do the Math Right
Let’s take this one line at a time and decode the entire puzzle.
Line 1: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
That’s simple:
2 + 2 = 4
4 + 2 = 6
6 + 2 = 8
8 + 2 = 10
Line 1 Total: 10
Line 2: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
Same thing as Line 1.
Line 2 Total: 10
Now comes the tricky one…
Line 3: 2 + 2 × 0 + 2
According to PEMDAS, we do multiplication first. So:
- 2 × 0 = 0
Now rewrite the equation:
2 + 0 + 2 = 4
Line 3 Total: 4
Now Add Them All Together
Line 1 = 10
Line 2 = 10
Line 3 = 4
10 + 10 + 4 = 24
Wait, did you say 60 earlier? If so, don’t worry—you’re not alone. That’s exactly what the puzzle is meant to do: trick people into ignoring math fundamentals. But now you’ve seen how sneaky a misplaced multiplication symbol can be!
Why This Puzzle Is So Effective
This riddle works not because it’s hard, but because it’s disguised as easy. It takes advantage of how our brains work—quick to process patterns, faster to jump to conclusions.
Here’s why people fall for it:
- We expect repetition (first two lines = same pattern).
- The third line looks similar, so we rush through.
- We forget to apply PEMDAS rules when no parentheses are present.
Video : Genius IQ Test math puzzle🔥
Lesson Learned: Don’t Let Patterns Fool You
Math, like life, requires attention to detail. Just because things look the same on the surface doesn’t mean they are. A single operator—like “×”—can flip the entire answer.
This simple challenge teaches a valuable lesson: Slow down. Observe. Then solve.
Think You Can Outsmart the Next One?
We dare you—share this puzzle with friends, family, and coworkers. See how many get it right. It’s a fun way to test observation skills and spark a friendly debate about who’s the real genius in the group.
Now It’s Your Turn
Drop your answer in the comments before revealing the solution. Were you in the 10% who got it right on the first try?
And if you loved this kind of brain teaser, let us know. There are plenty more where this came from—and they only get trickier!
Stay sharp. Stay curious. And always double-check your math. You never know what a little “× 0” might be hiding.
