Decoding the Internet’s Favorite Math Puzzle: What is 8 – 8 * 8 + 8?

Every few weeks, a simple-looking arithmetic equation pops up on social media, instantly dividing comment sections into heated debates. Millions of adults fiercely argue over the answer, proving that elementary school math has a surprising way of stumping us.

One classic variation of these viral puzzles is the expression: 8 – 8 * 8 + 8.

If you look at this string of numbers at a glance, your brain might automatically want to read it straight across, or perhaps group the matching numbers together. But mathematics has a strict set of traffic laws to keep us all on the same page. Let’s break down this equation step by step, solve it correctly, and see why it trips so many people up.

The Golden Rule: Order of Operations

To solve any mathematical expression containing mixed operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), we rely on the standard order of operations, universally known by acronyms like PEMDAS or BODMAS:

1. Parentheses / Brackets
2. Exponents / Orders
3. Multiplication and Division (evaluated from left to right)
4. Addition and Subtraction (evaluated from left to right)

Applying these rules to our expression—8 – 8 * 8 + 8—we can see how the magic unfolds.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Multiplication First

According to the rules, multiplication takes precedence over addition and subtraction. Therefore, we must evaluate the middle multiplication part first:

• 8 * 8 = 64

Now, substitute that result back into the original expression:

• 8 – 64 + 8

Step 2: Left-to-Right Addition and Subtraction

A very common trap here is to assume addition comes before subtraction because of how the acronym is written (PEMDAS/BODMAS). However, addition and subtraction share the same priority level, meaning you must evaluate them strictly from left to right.

First, perform the subtraction on the left:

• 8 – 64 = -56

Next, bring down the rest of the equation and perform the final addition:

• -56 + 8 = -48

The Final Answer: -48

Why Do People Get This Wrong?

It is completely normal to look at a problem like this and feel a sense of cognitive dissonance when you see a negative number pop out at the end. Here are the two most common traps people fall into:

• The Left-to-Right Trap: If you ignore the order of operations and just calculate straight across from the beginning ($8 – 8 = 0$, then $0 times 8 = 0$, then $0 + 8 = 8$), you will arrive at an incorrect answer of 8.
• The Grouping Trap: Some people notice the repeating eights and try to simplify intuitively, thinking that $8 – 8$ cancels out and $8 + 8$ makes $16$. But changing the sequence without respecting multiplication breaks the fundamental grammar of mathematics.

Conclusion

Math isn’t just about crunching numbers; it’s a universal language governed by precise syntax. Without the order of operations, equations would mean different things to different people, making science, engineering, and everyday commerce impossible.

So, the next time 8 – 8 * 8 + 8 or a similar puzzle pops up on your feed, you can confidently step into the comments section with the right answer: -48.