Only 60% can solve viral maths sum - and it's making peoples' brains hurt

22 September 2023 , 14:57

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Only the brainiest mathematicians will be able to guess it correctly (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If maths was one of your strongest subjects at school - this tricky sum is one for you. As only 60 per cent of brainboxes can solve it, it's going to put your numerical abilities to the test. However, if maths wasn't your strong point, it's a good way to sharpen up on your skills.

After "making people's brains hurt", the equation was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, and has got people fighting over the correct answer. It asks you to work out the answer to 9-3÷1/3+1, and only 60% of 20-year-olds in Japan were able to correctly guess it.

After going viral online, it's had many mathematicians debating the answer, with the most common WRONG answer being nine. However, if you got nine, it's an easy mistake to make - by grouping the numbers incorrectly. Other wrong answers included 15, three and 19. The most common mistake is writing the 1/3 as 9 – 3 ÷ 1/3 + 1 and doing the sum in this order.

So if you think you have the answer - and it's not one of the numbers mentioned above - let's see if you're a true mathematician as some calculators will get it wrong too. The key is to know how to group the numbers correctly.

The correct answer is found by grouping 1/3 with brackets and following the order of operations, with division coming first.

Parents stumped by maths question for 10-year-olds - see if you can solve it

Meaning the answer is one. Did you manage to get it? Taking us back to the days of maths classes, it's sure to be one to stump many. If this got you wanting to solve more, why not try and solve this tricky homework question that had adults arguing over the right answer - asking people to work out the closest time to midnight? Followed by four answers to choose from.

Niamh Kirk