According to research, it’s more engaging for the brain to drink red wine than to try to solve complicated math problems. However, there is no harm in doing both things – and solving puzzles and quizzes is better than not doing anything at all.
That’s why I thought today I’d test you on a tricky, yet simple, math problem. It may have been a while since you last went to school, and this may seem difficult, but at the same time, it’s a simple calculation test that even middle schoolers should be able to do.
We use math for everything. When we shop, when we calculate sleep hours, or even while cooking. However, this is automatic – without thinking about it. Easy calculations are subconscious and few of us have to grab a calculator to figure out what 2 + 1 is.
Rarely solve difficult problems
A calculator may, however, be needed for more complex problems.
I remember when my kids went to school, and they needed help with their homework. With math, it didn’t take long before they were better than me.
What one learned while sitting at the school lectures, sadly, disappears over time. Perhaps just because you don’t practice enough, the brain is like our body, if you don’t exercise it regularly it degrades.
That is why I thought today we should test ourselves with a math problem that is actually quite simple, but it‘s important to remember the proper solving method. What to do first and what to do last. This is crucial for finding the correct solution.
The question now: Can you solve this challenge?
1 + 1 + 1 – 1 x 2 – 0 =?
First, we start by solving the multiplication.
1 x 2
1 x 2 = 2
It gets easy – with the right method
This is what we are left with.
1 + 1 + 1 – 2 – 0
Next step is even easier
3 – 2
Finally, the correct answer is: 1
The solution was quite easy, as you can see. However, it was vital to start by doing the multiplication first – and many people forget that.
Did you solve it correctly? Then click the share button and invite your friends to a fun challenge!
