Math problem from 2019 divides the internet

In 2019, a seemingly simple math equation became a viral problem for social media users and “practically caused a civil war in the Popular Mechanics office.”

At its core, this wasn’t just about math; it was a cultural phenomenon, showcasing how people interpret rules differently and, sometimes, fiercely defend their perspectives.
Let’s break down the drama and explore why this problem became so controversial.

Math isn’t always fun
The problem reads:
8 ÷ 2(2 + 2)

At first glance, it seems straightforward. But the simplicity is deceptive. Depending on how you interpret the order of operations, the answer could either be 1 or 16.