11 – 11 × 11 + 11. At first glance, this calculation looks like a children’s riddle. But in reality, it seriously tests our mathematical logic, however firmly ingrained it may have been since school. This kind of puzzle is as captivating as it is baffling: because no, it’s not simply a matter of addition and subtraction… The key is to remember the order of operations. So, ready to take on the challenge without cheating? Come on, let’s use our brains, not our calculators!
Why does this calculation trap so many people?
When we quickly read a calculation like 11 – 11 × 11 + 11, our brain tends to read from left to right, solving each step in the order it appears. This is a common mistake! This reflex often makes us miss a fundamental rule in mathematics: multiplication always comes before addition and subtraction, unless parentheses change the order.
That’s precisely what makes this kind of challenge so interesting. It’s not about being a “math genius,” but simply about remembering the correct method. A welcome—and rather fun— refresher !
