Do you think you’re smart enough to answer this question without looking up the answer?

Don’t underestimate it, most people will get it wrong initially!

If you get stuck, you can scroll down to check out the answer. Are you up for the challenge?

Don’t underestimate it, most people will get it wrong initially!

If you get stuck, you can scroll down to check out the answer. Are you up for the challenge?

So, what are you trying to figure out? The deceptively easy equation is: 11-11×11+11=? It appears to be a simple equation, straightforward addition, subtraction, and multiplication that we learn at a young age. But all is not as it seems.

A

B

C

ANSWER: 

There were a whole host of answers posted, from -99 to 121. So how do you solve this puzzle? You’ll need to return to school for this one and remember the BODMAS rule.

Standing for Brackets, Orders, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction, BODMAS is an acronym used to help remember the order of mathematical operations. So when a puzzle such as this presents itself, you need to work through and carry out the operations in the correct order.

Since there are no brackets or orders in this equation, your first step is the multiplication – 11×11, which gives you 121, making the equation 11-121+11. Next would be the addition which leaves you with 11-110, as you’re adding 11 to -121. Finally comes the subtraction, 11-110, which gives you -99.

So the answer is -99.