Conclusion
The viral problem 6 – 6 × 6 serves as a perfect reminder of why established rules matter in mathematics. While reading sequentially leads many people to calculate $0$, applying the standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) requires multiplying $6 \times 6$ first to get $36$, leaving us with $6 – 36$, which equals -30.
Next time you spot a tricky math teaser while browsing your feed, take a moment to scan for multiplication or division before jumping straight from left to right. Challenge your friends and family to see who remembers their basic algebra rules!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the correct answer to 6 – 6 × 6?
The correct answer is -30. Following the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), you must calculate $6 \times 6 = 36$ first, and then evaluate $6 – 36 = -30$.
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Why is the answer not 0?
The answer would only be $0$ if the equation contained parentheses around the first subtraction, like this: $(6 – 6) \times 6$. Without parentheses, multiplication must always be performed before subtraction.
What does PEMDAS stand for?
PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. It defines the standard sequence used to evaluate mathematical expressions.
Do calculators always follow the order of operations?
Scientific and modern smartphone calculators automatically follow the standard order of operations, yielding $-30$ for this problem. However, some basic non-scientific desk calculators evaluate entries sequentially as you type them, which can result in an incorrect output of $0$.
