Have you ever come across a math problem that seems easy at first glance, only to realize that most people get it wrong? The equation 9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = ? is one such puzzle that confuses many. It looks simple, but if you’re not careful, you might end up with the wrong answer.
Are you ready to put your math skills to the test? Take a moment to solve it before reading ahead. Think you got it right? Let’s find out!
Why Do So Many People Get This Wrong?

At first glance, this equation appears straightforward. However, small details in mathematical rules trip people up. Here are some common mistakes that lead to the wrong answer:
- Ignoring the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) – Many people solve the problem from left to right without following the correct order of operations.
- Misplacing Parentheses (Even When They Aren’t Written) – Some assume parentheses where there are none, changing how they approach division and subtraction.
- Rushing Through the Calculation – The problem is designed to look easy, so people tend to solve it quickly and overlook critical steps.
So, what’s the correct approach? Let’s break it down step by step.
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve this equation correctly, we must follow the order of operations. The most commonly used rule is PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).
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The given equation:
9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9
Step 1: Solve the Division First
According to PEMDAS, division comes before subtraction and addition. So, let’s divide first:
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
Now, substitute these values back into the equation:
9 – 1 + 9 – 1
Step 2: Perform Addition and Subtraction from Left to Right
Now, we calculate in order from left to right:
- 9 – 1 = 8
- 8 + 9 = 17
- 17 – 1 = 16
So, the correct answer is: 16
Common Incorrect Answers and Why They Happen
Many people arrive at incorrect answers because they don’t follow the correct order of operations. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Answer: 0 – This happens when someone groups all the numbers together without following PEMDAS, incorrectly simplifying the problem as:
9−9−9+9−9=09 – 9 – 9 + 9 – 9 = 09−9−9+9−9=0 - Answer: 1 – Some mistakenly subtract 9 from itself first before dividing, leading to:
(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1(9 – 9) ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = 1(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1
These errors reinforce the importance of following the correct mathematical rules step by step.
Why Understanding Order of Operations Matters
You might wonder—why does it even matter? Well, mathematics is built on logical rules, and following them correctly ensures we get consistent, accurate answers. The order of operations is used in everything from programming to engineering to everyday calculations.
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Think about it this way: If a recipe tells you to bake a cake at 350°F for 30 minutes before adding frosting, you wouldn’t reverse the steps, right? Math works the same way—sequence matters!
Put Your Skills to the Test
Did you get the correct answer? Share your response in the comments! Were you surprised by how easy it was to make a mistake?
If you enjoy solving puzzles like this, challenge your friends and see if they can get it right! Math riddles help improve problem-solving skills and boost logical thinking.
Want more brain teasers like this? Keep testing yourself with tricky puzzles and improve your critical thinking skills! Who knows? The next time you see a math problem like this, you might be among the 10% who get it right on the first try!
Restaurant Manager Kicks Out Old Lady Asking for Shelter, Next Day Sees Her Sitting with Owner – Story of the Day

One day, an old lady got drenched in heavy rain after a sudden outpour. She decided to seek shelter at a famous cafe, only to be kicked out by the restaurant manager. What happens next stuns the arrogant employee.
Linda Meyers was on her way to dinner when heavy rain suddenly started pouring. She didn’t have an umbrella with her, so her well-kept hair was suddenly damp and all over her face. Her blouse and jacket looked worn out after they got soaked as well.
The closest establishment to her at the time was a famous cafe that rich and famous people would frequent. As she got to the entrance, she was suddenly stopped by the porter.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Ma’am, this is an exclusive cafe. You need a reservation to enter,” he started, before looking at her from head to toe. “It seems you can hardly afford to dine in here, too,” he muttered.
Offended by the rude remark, she asked the porter to call the restaurant manager. But instead of letting her in, the manager echoed the porter’s sentiments and asked her to leave.
“Ma’am, I’m currently hosting over a hundred people inside. Let’s not waste our time here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the manager, whose nameplate said “Simon,” told Linda.
“I just need a place to stay until the rain dies down. I’ll even order,” she insisted.
“I can’t let you go in looking like that. You’re going to scare away all of our guests,” Simon shook his head. At that, the woman left, trying to find another place to wait.
The next day, when Simon got to work, the cafe owner was already there. He immediately called Simon over. “Today is a very special day. We have an important guest coming, my friend and his wife. They’re potential buyers of this cafe. That said, everything must be in top shape.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Simon oriented the waiters on what to do that day, making sure everything was well-prepared for their VIP guests’ arrival. That evening, the owner called Simon to their table.
“Let me introduce you to our manager. He is an excellent part of our team. He knows his job and is very kind, sensitive, sympathetic, and helpful,” the owner said. At that, the woman turned to him with a smile on her face.
“Very nice indeed. I can see that he is exactly the way you described him to be,” the woman, who turned out to be Linda, said.
The manager couldn’t hide the horrified look on his face after realizing the woman was the person he rudely shut out the night before. After seeing the look on his face, Linda turned back to the cafe owner.
“You have a great restaurant and such endearing staff. My husband and I are happy to buy the cafe,” she said.
The next day, Linda and her husband went straight to work. They wanted to observe how the cafe operated on a daily basis and get to know their new staff members.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
When Linda saw Simon, she bore him some bad news. “Simon, my husband and I have made the decision to demote you as a waiter. We don’t think the way you treated me the other night is any way to treat a customer,” she explained.
Immediately, Simon was given an apron and a tray, and he started working as a waiter. He was humiliated, but he didn’t want to lose his job entirely.
A couple of days later, a poor woman entered the cafe. She sat at a table and ordered a sandwich and hot tea. After she finished her meal, Simon handed her the bill.
“Oh dear,” the old woman said as she looked through her purse. “I must have forgotten my wallet at home. I am so sorry. I can wash the dishes, or clean the restaurant, anything so that I could repay you,” she said.
Simon shook his head. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I will pay for your tab this time around,” he said with a smile.
The woman proceeded to thank Simon, to which he replied: “It’s no problem. People should help each other out. A couple of days ago, the new owner of this restaurant gave me a second chance because she is a kind person. I want to be like her. After all, I believe in karma.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“I think you will become a manager again,” the woman replied. Simon was confused as to how the woman knew about his demotion. At that moment, Linda approached the table.
“This woman here is my friend. I wanted to test you and see whether or not you’ve learned your lesson. I’m happy to know that you’ve passed the test. You can return to your managerial duties effective immediately,” Linda said, giving him a tap on the back.
Simon was delighted. He had never seen such kindness in anybody, and he was grateful that Linda gave him yet another chance to do well at his job.
Since that day, Simon went to work with a smile on his face. He loved his job, and it was all thanks to the boost of confidence the new cafe owners gave him. He would patiently tend to his staff and the customers, and it led the cafe to become even more successful.
What can we learn from this story?
- We should not judge others by their outward appearance. The porter and Simon were quick to judge Linda for how she looked, not knowing she’d end up owning the business they worked in.
- People deserve a second chance. Linda was nice enough to give Simon a second chance, knowing he enjoyed his work.
Share this story with your loved ones. It might inspire them and make their day.
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