You've seen the post. It usually has a bright yellow background, a bunch of "only geniuses can solve this" captions, and about ten thousand comments that are all different. It’s a simple string of numbers: 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3. You’d think we’d have this figured out by now, right? Math is supposed to be the one thing that isn't up for debate. But every time this specific equation pops up, it triggers a digital civil war between people who remember their middle school math teacher and people who just go left-to-right because it feels more natural.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how a few threes and a couple of operators can expose the gaps in our collective education. We aren't talking about calculus here. This isn't rocket science. It’s basic arithmetic. Yet, 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 becomes a battleground. Most people fail because they treat math like a sentence they’re reading in a book. They start at the beginning, move to the end, and wonder why the answer they got doesn't match the scientific calculator on their phone.
The PEMDAS Trap and Why 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 Is Tricky
The reality is that math has a specific "grammar." We call it the Order of Operations. If you grew up in the US, you probably know it as PEMDAS. If you're from the UK or India, you might know it as BODMAS or BIDMAS. Regardless of the acronym, the rules for solving 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 are universal. The problem is that most people remember the acronym but forget how to actually apply it when things get messy.
Let’s look at the equation again: 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3.
If you just go from left to right like you're reading a novel, you do $3 \times 3 = 9$. Then you subtract 3 to get 6. Then you divide by 3 to get 2. Finally, you add 3 and end up with 5. It feels right. It feels productive. But it is fundamentally wrong. Math doesn't care about your left-to-right momentum. It cares about hierarchy.
The Order of Operations dictates that multiplication and division must happen before addition and subtraction. This isn't just some arbitrary rule someone made up to be annoying. It’s built into the logic of how numbers relate to each other. Multiplication is essentially "fast addition," and division is "fast subtraction." Because they are more powerful operations, they take precedence.
Breaking Down the Math Step-by-Step
To solve 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 correctly, you have to isolate the "heavy hitters" first.
First, handle the multiplication. $3 \times 3 = 9$.
Now the equation looks like this: $9 - 3/3 + 3$.
Next, you have to deal with that division. $3 / 3 = 1$.
Now we’re down to: $9 - 1 + 3$.
This is where the second wave of mistakes happens. People see PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) and assume Addition always comes before Subtraction because the 'A' comes before the 'S'. That’s a myth. Addition and Subtraction are on the same level of importance. When you’re left with just those two, then you go left to right.
So, $9 - 1 = 8$.
Then, $8 + 3 = 11$.
The actual, mathematically indisputable answer is 11.
If you got 5, or 1, or 9, you aren't alone, but you are technically incorrect. You’ve fallen for the "linear thinking" trap that makes these viral math problems so successful at generating engagement. They rely on our tendency to take the path of least resistance.
Why Do These Viral Math Problems Even Exist?
It’s all about the "Gotcha" moment. Algorithms love conflict. When someone posts 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 on a social platform, they aren't trying to teach you math. They’re trying to start an argument.
One person comments "5." Another person replies "Actually, it's 11, you idiot." Then a third person jumps in saying they have a PhD in engineering and they got 11, while a fourth person claims their calculator says something else entirely. Every one of those comments tells the algorithm that this post is "high engagement." So, the post gets shown to more people, and the cycle continues.
There’s also the "Calculators are different" argument. Some basic four-function calculators—the kind you find in a junk drawer or at a craft store—actually will give you the wrong answer. Why? Because they process each operation as you type it. If you hit "3 x 3 -" it calculates 9 immediately. Then you hit "3 /" and it calculates 6 immediately. It doesn't "see" the whole equation at once. Scientific and graphing calculators, however, are programmed with the Order of Operations. They wait until you hit the equals sign to process the logic of the entire string.
This creates a weird digital gaslighting effect. You have people holding physical proof (their cheap calculator screen) that says the answer is 5, while everyone else is screaming that it’s 11.
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The Real-World Stakes of Order of Operations
You might think, "Who cares? It's just a Facebook post." And sure, in the context of a meme, the stakes are zero. But the logic behind 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 is the same logic used in Excel spreadsheets, coding, and structural engineering.
Imagine a programmer writing code for a banking app. If they don't account for the proper order of operations when calculating interest or fees, the entire system collapses. A small error in a string of logic can lead to massive financial discrepancies. Or think about a pharmacist calculating a dosage based on a patient's weight and a specific concentration. If the math is processed linearly instead of logically, the result could be dangerous.
The order of operations is the "grammar" that ensures everyone, everywhere, interprets a mathematical statement in the exact same way. Without it, math would be subjective. And subjective math is a nightmare.
Common Misconceptions That Lead to Errors
- The Left-to-Right Bias: This is the big one. Our brains are trained to process information from left to right. Overcoming that instinct to jump to the middle of an equation is hard.
- The PEMDAS Misunderstanding: People think they have to add before they subtract. If the equation was $9 - 1 + 3$, and you added first ($1 + 3 = 4$), you’d get $9 - 4 = 5$. Wrong. You go left to right for addition and subtraction.
- Grouping Negatives: Some people see the minus sign as part of the number. This is actually a more advanced way of thinking that helps avoid errors. If you treat the equation as $9 + (-1) + 3$, the order doesn't matter anymore. You’ll always get 11.
How to Never Get Tricked Again
The next time you see 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 or any of its cousins—like the infamous $6 / 2(1 + 2)$—just take a breath. Don't rush to comment.
Follow the hierarchy. Look for parentheses first (none here). Look for exponents (none here). Then, hunt down the multiplication and division. Treat them like little islands of work that need to be finished before you can build bridges between them with addition and subtraction.
It’s also worth noting that mathematicians usually hate these "viral" formats. Why? Because in the real world, we use parentheses to be clear. If a scientist wanted you to get 5, they would write $(3 \times 3 - 3) / 3 + 3$. If they wanted to be absolutely clear about the 11, they might write it as $(3 \times 3) - (3/3) + 3$. The ambiguity is intentional. It’s designed to exploit the fact that many of us haven't sat in a math class in twenty years.
Actionable Steps for Better Mental Math
If you want to sharpen your skills so you can be the "correction officer" in the comment section (we all have that urge sometimes), here is how to approach it:
- Isolate the groups: Mentally put brackets around the multiplication and division parts. See them as $(3 \times 3)$ and $(3/3)$.
- Simplify immediately: Write down or remember those results ($9$ and $1$).
- Execute the "flatter" operations: Now you’re just dealing with $9 - 1 + 3$.
- Trust the system: Don't let your "feeling" that the answer should be smaller or simpler override the rules.
Understanding 3 x 3 - 3/3 + 3 isn't about being a genius. It’s about slowing down. Most of our mistakes in life—not just in math—come from applying simple, linear thinking to complex, hierarchical problems. Math just happens to be the most objective way to prove that.
Keep this in mind: math is a language. If you don't follow the syntax, you're just making noise. The next time this pops up on your feed, you've got the tools to explain why 11 is the only logical conclusion. Or, better yet, you can just keep scrolling, knowing you've already won the internal battle.
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Stop treating math like a race. It’s a puzzle. The pieces only fit one way. Once you see the structure, the "trick" disappears entirely. You've got this.