Puzzles & Quizzes

This Math Problem Went Viral In Japan

We're nominated for an award! Please click here to vote for Curiosity Daily for Best Technology & Science Podcast in the 2019 Discover Pods Awards.

Can you solve the viral Japanese math problem? It's an order of operations problem that, supposedly, about 60% of Japanese twentysomethings can correctly solve, which is a rate down from 90% of twentysomethings in the 1980s. Here's the problem: 9-3÷1/3+1. How did you go about solving this, and what did you get as your final answer?

9 - 3 ÷ 1/3 + 1 = ? The Correct Answer (Viral Problem In Japan)
– MindYourDecisions
Written by Curiosity Staff April 17, 2016

Curiosity uses cookies to improve site performance, for analytics and for advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

✕