The Internet’s Favorite Trap: Decoding $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$

Every few weeks, a seemingly simple arithmetic problem pops up on social media, sparking thousands of passionate, often contradictory comments. At first glance, equations like $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$ look harmless enough for a middle schooler. Yet, they routinely divide comment sections into rival camps, with smart adults confidently swearing by completely different answers.

So, what is the actual truth behind this deceptively tricky puzzle? Let’s break it down step by step and see why numbers can sometimes cause so much chaos.

The Common Trap: Why Do People Get Different Answers?

When most people glance at $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$, their eyes naturally glide across the page from left to right. If you rush through it linearly, here is what your brain might be tempted to do:

1. $8 – 8 = 0$
2. $0 times 8 = 0$
3. $0 + 8 = 8$

Alternatively, someone might try to group the additions together:

• $(8 + 8) – (8 times 8) = 16 – 64 = -48$

While the second approach accidentally lands on the correct mathematical result, doing it by intuition alone is risky. Mathematics is not a matter of opinion or reading order; it relies on a strict, universally agreed-upon grammar known as the Order of Operations.

The Rules of the Road: PEMDAS / BODMAS

To ensure that two mathematicians in different parts of the world always get the exact same answer for the same equation, we use standard priority rules:

• P / B: Parentheses / Brackets
• E / O: Exponents / Orders
• M / D: Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
• A / S: Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

Applying these rules transforms a confusing jumble of numbers into a clear, predictable path.

Step-by-Step Solution

Let’s put $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$ through the proper order of operations:

Step 1: Tackle Multiplication First

Looking at our expression, we have subtraction, multiplication, and addition. According to our rules, multiplication takes absolute priority over addition and subtraction.

• The multiplication part of our expression is $8 times 8$.
• $8 times 8 = 64$

Now substitute that back into the equation:
$$8 – 64 + 8$$

Step 2: Evaluate Addition and Subtraction Left-to-Right

A common misconception is that addition always comes before subtraction because of how “PEMDAS” or “BODMAS” is written. In reality, addition and subtraction share the exact same rank. When they appear together, you evaluate them strictly from left to right.

1. First, perform the subtraction on the left:
   $$8 – 64 = -56$$
2. Next, add the remaining $8$:
   $$text{-}56 + 8 = text{-}48$$

The Final Verdict

The correct answer to $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$ is $-48$.

Takeaway: Viral math puzzles aren’t designed to test your advanced calculus skills; they are designed to test your discipline with foundational rules. Next time you see a trick equation online, remember to pause, isolate your multiplication and division, and work your way through addition and subtraction from left to right!