When the correct answer isn't even an option

What is 2 + 2x4 = ? Many people are having arguments about this problem. It's time for the order of operations to save the day, again! #shorts #math #maths #mathematics

BuzzFeed Math Problem Viral on Twitter
Claudius on Twitter
Guediouzou on Twitter
Order of operations reference. New National Framework Mathematics 7 Core Pupil’s Book. 2002. By M. J. Tipler, K. M. Vickers. Page 70

Send me suggestions by email (address at end of many videos). I may not reply but I do consider all ideas!

If you buy from the links below I may receive a commission for sales. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) This has no effect on the price for you.

Book ratings are from June 2021.

My Books (worldwide links)

My Books (US links)
Mind Your Decisions: Five Book Compilation
A collection of 5 books:
"The Joy of Game Theory" rated 4.2/5 stars on 200 reviews
"The Irrationality Illusion: How To Make Smart Decisions And Overcome Bias" rated 4/5 stars on 17 reviews
"40 Paradoxes in Logic, Probability, and Game Theory" rated 4.1/5 stars on 30 reviews
"The Best Mental Math Tricks" rated 4.2/5 stars on 57 reviews
"Multiply Numbers By Drawing Lines" rated 4.1/5 stars on 23 reviews

Mind Your Puzzles: Collection Of Volumes 1 To 3
A collection of 3 books:
"Math Puzzles Volume 1" rated 4.4/5 stars on 75 reviews
"Math Puzzles Volume 2" rated 4.3/5 stars on 21 reviews
"Math Puzzles Volume 3" rated 4.3/5 stars on 17 reviews

2017 Shorty Awards Nominee. Mind Your Decisions was nominated in the STEM category (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) along with eventual winner Bill Nye; finalists Adam Savage, Dr. Sandra Lee, Simone Giertz, Tim Peake, Unbox Therapy; and other nominees Elon Musk, Gizmoslip, Hope Jahren, Life Noggin, and Nerdwriter.

My Blog

Twitter

Merch

Patreon

Press

[sherwint]

When people still believe flat earth, this doesn't surprise me.

[eat_your_cereal]

The people picking 13 are just the people who got 10, realized it wasn’t an option and just chose the closest option

[lucaspatrick]

Me looking at the math problem before hand: It’s 10, no wait 10 isn’t a option

[jonathanli]

This is a really quick way to get canceled on twitter

[elliotc]

i love how he makes 2+2x4 seem like a college level concept

[hahanamegobrrr]

"Well the answer is 10 but 13 is the closest so I'll choose 13"
High school energy

[UniversusVasator]

When Twitter cant do a basic math question💀💀💀

[robusk]

Twitter is the same place that's still confused if water should be banned or not

[queenkatara]

If we’re in agreement that the 26% of people who picked 13 were going for the closest answer to 10, then what’s happening with the 7% of people who picked 15?

[brandonchan]

What I want to know is how you could possibly bend the rules of mathematics to get 13

[dumbgdtutorials]

"If idiots were planes, Twitter would be an airport"

[ehmehsmeh]

I'm failing all my classes but it makes me feel smart knowing the correct answer while a bunch of people on Twitter are arguing on 2 wrong answers.

[paradoxxie]

I can't believe this was such a huge controversy seriously

[greensalad_]

"If you cannot find your answer in the option, pick the closest one to your answer."

- My math teacher

[liyahhi]

Fr I’m in elementary school and this was a beginner problem I literally died seeing like thousands of people getting the answer wrong it kills me🤣

[ritazhu]

Can’t believe we’re teaching the order of operations to adults

[Piotr_Tokarz]

This math problem really shows intelligence of twitter

[winnewFirst]

Not expecting this in Mind Your Decisions!

[MysticFangs]

The answer is 10.

To solve this expression, you need to follow the order of operations (also known as PEMDAS):

1. Start with the parentheses: there are no parentheses in this expression.

2. Next, do any multiplication or division, working from left to right:

2 + 2 times 4

= 2 + 8

3. Finally, do any addition or subtraction, working from left to right:

= 10

[nextgenathletespods]

My best guess is that the people who got ten might have chosen 13 as it was the closest number to ten. I could be completely wrong though and be overestimating Twitter’s intellect.