What is 8 – 8 * 8 + 8? Order of Operations Solved

Decoding the Order of Operations: The Mystery of $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$

Every few weeks, a simple-looking math equation goes viral on social media, dividing the internet into two fiercely opposed camps. Equations like $8 – 8 times 8 + 8$ look innocent enough, yet they routinely trip people up.

Let’s break down this classic math puzzle step-by-step and uncover the correct answer using the universal rules of mathematics.

The Common Trap: Why Do People Get This Wrong?

When faced with a string of numbers and operations, many people instinctively read from left to right just like reading a sentence:

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

Spoiler alert: This is incorrect! If you answered $8$, you fell into the classic trap of ignoring the Order of Operations.

The Secret Weapon: PEMDAS / BODMAS

To make sure everyone around the world gets the same answer to the same math problem, mathematicians established a standard set of rules known as PEMDAS (or BODMAS in some regions):

• 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)

Crucially, multiplication and division always take precedence over addition and subtraction.

Step-by-Step Solution

Let’s re-evaluate our equation using the correct rules:

$$8 – 8 times 8 + 8$$

Step 1: Handle the Multiplication

According to PEMDAS, we must look for multiplication or division first. In our expression, we have $8 times 8$.

• $8 times 8 = 64$

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

Step 2: Addition and Subtraction (Left to Right)

Now we are left with only subtraction and addition. A common mistake here is to do the addition ($64 + 8$) first. Remember, addition and subtraction have equal rank and must be evaluated strictly from left to right.

1. First, subtract: $8 – 64 = -56$
2. Next, add: $-56 + 8 = -48$

The Final Verdict

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

Next time you see a math puzzle pop up on your feed, you’ll know exactly how to look past the trick and find the right solution!