You’ve seen it. It pops up on your Facebook feed or Twitter (X) timeline like a recurring nightmare. A simple string of numbers—8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2—presented in a plain font, usually followed by a smug caption asking if you’re a "math genius."
Suddenly, the comment section is a war zone. People are calling each other names. Friendships are being tested over arithmetic.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating. How can a basic equation that a fourth grader should be able to solve cause so much absolute chaos? The answer isn't just about math; it’s about how we are taught to think, the history of mathematical notation, and the way our brains prioritize certain operations over others.
If you're looking for the quick answer, it’s 10. But if you’re here, you probably want to know why so many people insist it’s 3, or even something else entirely. Let’s get into it.
The Viral Logic of 8 Divided by 2 Times 2 Plus 2
To solve 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2, you have to use a specific order of operations. Most of us learned this through acronyms. In the United States, it’s usually PEMDAS. In the UK, India, and Australia, they use BODMAS. Canada often goes with BEDMAS.
Regardless of the name, the logic is the same.
Here is where the confusion starts: the way these acronyms are taught is often fundamentally flawed. When you look at 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2, your brain might see that "M" for Multiplication comes before "D" for Division in PEMDAS and think, "Aha! I must multiply first."
If you do that, you calculate $2 \times 2 = 4$ first. Then you do $8 / 4 = 2$. Finally, $2 + 2 = 4$.
But that is wrong.
In reality, Multiplication and Division are "equal" in priority. They are a team. You don't do one before the other because of where they sit in a word; you do them as they appear from left to right.
So, let's look at the equation $8 \div 2 \times 2 + 2$ again.
Moving left to right, we hit the division first. $8 \div 2$ gives us 4.
Now the equation looks like $4 \times 2 + 2$.
Next, we do the multiplication. $4 \times 2 = 8$.
Lastly, we add the 2. $8 + 2 = 10$.
Basically, the 10-camp is following the modern standard of mathematical convention. The 4-camp is often falling into a trap created by the way we memorize mnemonics rather than understanding the underlying rules.
Why Do People Still Get it Wrong?
It’s not just about being "bad at math." There is a historical and psychological reason for the divide.
Back in the day—we’re talking early 20th century—the way division was written could sometimes imply a different grouping. Some old textbooks suggested that a division sign $\div$ meant you should divide the entire left side by the entire right side. If you followed that archaic logic (which is no longer the standard), you would indeed multiply the $2 \times 2$ first.
But we don't live in 1917.
In modern mathematics, the rules are standardized to ensure that a scientist in Tokyo and an engineer in London can read the same equation and get the same result. Without these strict "rules of the road," our technology would literally fall apart. Imagine trying to code a complex algorithm for a self-driving car if the computer didn't know whether to multiply or divide first.
Another reason for the confusion? The "implied multiplication" trap. Sometimes, people write these problems with parentheses, like $8 \div 2(2) + 2$. When a number is smashed right up against a parenthesis, many people feel a deep, spiritual urge to solve that part first. They treat it as a single unit.
But even then, the rule of left-to-right still reigns supreme.
PEMDAS vs. Reality
Let's talk about the acronyms themselves because they are kinda the villain here.
PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
BODMAS: Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
Notice how "Multiplication" comes first in the American version, but "Division" comes first in the British version? If the order of the letters strictly determined the order of the math, the whole world would get different answers depending on where they went to school.
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That would be a disaster.
The truth is that PEMDAS should really be written as:
- P
- E
- MD (Left to Right)
- AS (Left to Right)
When you see 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2, you are looking at a test of your ability to recognize that "MD" tier. It’s a trick of the eye. Because the multiplication looks "tidier" than the division, our brains want to resolve it first. Math, however, doesn't care about what looks tidy.
The Role of Calculators
If you're still doubting the answer, go grab your phone. Open the calculator app. Type in $8 \div 2 \times 2 + 2$.
Most modern "algebraic" calculators (like the ones on iPhones or Androids) will give you 10. They are programmed with the standard order of operations.
However, if you use an old-school "standard" calculator—the kind that performs operations as soon as you hit the button—you might get a different result because it's calculating $8 \div 2 = 4$, then you hit $\times 2$ to get 8, then $+ 2$ to get 10. Wait, that still gives you 10.
But what if you had a calculator that grouped differently? Some older scientific calculators might treat the $\div$ symbol differently than a slash $/$. It’s rare now, but it’s why the debate persists. People remember their TI-82 giving them a different answer than their TI-84.
The Social Media Factor: Why This Goes Viral
Why do we keep seeing 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2?
Algorithms.
Social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok prioritize "engagement." Engagement is a polite word for "arguments." When a post has 50,000 comments of people arguing over 4 and 10, the algorithm sees that as a "high-value" post. It shows it to more people.
The people who post these aren't trying to teach you math. They are "engagement farming." They know that half the population will use one method and the other half will use another. It’s the digital version of "The Dress" (was it blue or white?).
It preys on our desire to be right. You see someone post "4," and you think, "How can they be so stupid?" So you comment. And then they reply. And then the person who posted the image makes $0.0004 cents in ad revenue.
How to Never Get Tricked Again
If you want to be the person who shuts down the argument in the comments, you need to understand the concept of "operator precedence."
Think of math as a language. Like any language, it has grammar. The order of operations is just grammar for numbers.
When you see 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2, break it down into steps:
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- Check for parentheses. None here (that affect the order).
- Check for exponents. None here.
- Look for multiplication and division. We have both.
- Process them strictly from left to right.
- Look for addition and subtraction.
- Process them from left to right.
This works every time. It doesn't matter how long the string of numbers is. If you had $100 \div 10 \times 10 \div 10$, the answer is 10. You just move across the line like you're reading a book.
Real-World Implications
Does this actually matter outside of Facebook?
Yes.
In computer programming, specifically in languages like Python, C++, or Java, the order of operations is baked into the compiler. If a software engineer writes a line of code to calculate a user's bank balance or the trajectory of a satellite and they mess up the order of operations, the consequences are real.
In Excel or Google Sheets, if you type =8/2*2+2 into a cell, the software will return 10. It follows the international standard. If you wanted the answer to be 4, you would have to manually override the rules by adding parentheses: =8/(2*2)+2.
This is the key takeaway: Parentheses are the only way to change the natural order of operations. Without them, you must follow the left-to-right rule for multiplication and division.
Actionable Insights for Math Literacy
Understanding 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2 is a great starting point for better overall math literacy. Most people stop learning math logic in high school, but these "tricks" are useful for daily life.
- Trust the Left-to-Right Rule: Whenever you see multiplication and division in the same string, ignore the "M before D" urge. Just go left to right.
- Use Parentheses for Clarity: If you are writing a formula for work or a budget, don't leave it to chance. Even if the math is technically correct, write
(8 / 2) * 2to make it "human-readable." - Question the Source: If you see a math problem on social media, it is designed to be ambiguous or to exploit common misconceptions. Don't take the bait.
- Check Your Calculator’s Logic: Not all calculators are created equal. Understand if your tool uses "Immediate Execution" (simple calculators) or "Formula Expression" (scientific/graphing calculators).
The next time you see 8 divided by 2 times 2 plus 2, you can confidently walk away knowing the answer is 10. Or, better yet, don't comment at all. You’ve already won by knowing the "why" behind the "what."
Mathematics isn't about memorizing a word like PEMDAS; it’s about understanding the hierarchy of logic that allows us to describe the universe. Whether you're balancing a checkbook or just trying to prove someone wrong on the internet, that logic is your best friend.
To improve your mental math speed for problems like this, start practicing "string calculations" where you purposefully mix division and multiplication. Try to solve $12 \div 3 \times 4$ or $20 \div 5 \times 2$ while standing in line or during a commercial break. The more you reinforce the left-to-right habit, the less likely you are to fall for "engagement bait" in the future.