Millions baffled by 'simple' maths question as they can't agree on answer

20 October 2023 , 14:13

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Can you work it out? (Image: @Enezator/Twitter)

When you think back to your time in school, you might remember the dread of studying for a test. Whether maths comes easy to you or not, you no doubt spent a lot of time studying to be able to ace your exams.

However, one test question is proving really difficult for those who struggle at maths, but also those who deem themselves good at it. The seemingly simple question asks people to work out what three is equal to in a sequence - but it's not as easy as it seems.

The problem is that it has left people stumped, with most people not being able to decide between two different answers. So can you work it out?

You have to work out what 3 is (@Enezator/Twitter)

The maths test question, designed for students, shows you that 9=90, 8=72, 7=56 and 6=42 and asks 3=?. The challenge was first shared on social media website X, which was formerly known as Twitter, and has racked up more than 1.4million views.

Most people have been discussing two possible answers, so try to work it out before reading on. Have you decided what you're going for? Most people are torn between the answer of 12 or 18. One person explained their reasoning: "3 = 18 Because… 9 × 10 = 90, 8 × 9 = 72, 7 × 8 = 56, 6 × 7 = 42, Sooooo 3 × 6 = 18." But, what if part of the sequence has been cut out? Are we supposed to take into consideration what 5 and 4 might equal? Unless… They mean to carry it numerically downward to 5, 4, and then 3 in which case it would be: 5 × 6 = 30, 4× 5 = 20, 3 × 4 = 12."

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Many agreed that the answer could be either 12 or 18, depending on how you interpret the sequence. But, if you take it as a numerical sequence, the more logical answer would be 12.

Another person explained: "12 is the answer. Reason: 9 x 10 = 90 8 x 9 = 72 (??? x (??? + 1) ... So, 3 x (3 + 1) = 3 x 4 = 12."

Did you get 12 or 18, or a completely different answer? Let us know in the comment section below.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz