Math Riddle Solved: How to Solve 2 – 2 × 3 + 3 Correctly
Order of operations math problems are among the most engaging viral posts on social media. They appear simple at first glance, but often spark debate in comment sections due to common misunderstandings of mathematical order rules.
A popular drawing of an open palm presents the following viral math equation:
“Solve if you genius”
2 – 2 × 3 + 3
“95% Fail”
While claims like “95% fail” are designed to boost user engagement, solving this equation accurately requires following standard mathematical rules: PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division, Addition & Subtraction) or BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division & Multiplication, Addition & Subtraction).
In this guide, we break down the equation step-by-step, highlight common pitfalls, and explain why following standard order of operations leads to the correct result.
Step-by-Step Mathematical Solution
To solve $2 – 2 \times 3 + 3$ correctly, follow standard arithmetic precedence:
[ ORDER OF OPERATIONS (PEMDAS / BODMAS) ]
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[ STEP 1: MULTIPLICATION ] [ STEP 2: LEFT-TO-RIGHT ]
• Calculate: 2 × 3 = 6 • Perform Subtraction: 2 - 6 = -4
• Expression becomes: 2 - 6 + 3 • Perform Addition: -4 + 3 = -1
1. Step 1: Multiplication First
According to order of operations, multiplication takes priority over addition and subtraction.
Substituting this back into the expression yields:
2. Step 2: Addition and Subtraction (Left to Right)
Addition and subtraction have equal priority in mathematics and must be calculated sequentially from left to right.
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First operation (left): $2 – 6 = -4$
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Second operation: $-4 + 3 = -1$
Order of Operations Step Table
| Step | Operation | Expression | Result |
| Start | Original Equation | $2 – 2 \times 3 + 3$ | — |
| 1 | Multiply ($2 \times 3$) | $2 – 6 + 3$ | $6$ |
| 2 | Subtract from left ($2 – 6$) | $-4 + 3$ | $-4$ |
| 3 | Add from left ($-4 + 3$) | -1 | -1 |
The Correct Answer
The correct mathematical answer to the expression $2 – 2 \times 3 + 3$ is -1.
Common Pitfalls & Why People Get Wrong Answers
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Calculating Left to Right Without Precedence (Incorrect Answer: 3):
If someone ignores mathematical rules and solves strictly left to right:
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$2 – 2 = 0$
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$0 \times 3 = 0$
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$0 + 3 = 3$
(This violates standard arithmetic order of operations!)
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Incorrectly Adding Before Subtracting (Incorrect Answer: -7):
A common misinterpretation of PEMDAS leads people to evaluate Addition before Subtraction regardless of order:
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$6 + 3 = 9$
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$2 – 9 = -7$
(This is incorrect because Addition and Subtraction share equal priority and must be evaluated left to right.)
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Conclusion
The equation 2 – 2 × 3 + 3 serves as a classic reminder of fundamental arithmetic order. By completing the multiplication first ($2 \times 3 = 6$) and then processing $2 – 6 + 3$ from left to right, the final result is -1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the answer to 2 – 2 × 3 + 3?
The correct answer is -1.
Why is multiplication done before addition and subtraction?
Standard mathematical convention dictates that multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction to ensure consistent calculation results across scientific and engineering applications worldwide.
