2² – 2 ÷ ½ + 1 = ?

Answer:

1

Explanation:

Welcome, puzzle solvers, to a classic mathematical brain teaser that tests your adherence to the fundamental rules of arithmetic: the order of operations! This type of problem often trips people up if they don’t apply PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) or BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction) correctly. Let’s break it down to see how precision leads to the correct answer.

To crack this sequence, we need to carefully observe the pattern that governs its progression…

Let’s break it down step by step:

• Step 1: Exponents (or Orders)
  The first rule of thumb in the order of operations is to tackle any exponents. Here, we have 2².
  
  2² means 2 multiplied by itself, which is 2 × 2 = 4.
  
  The expression now simplifies to: 4 – 2 ÷ ½ + 1
• Step 2: Division and Multiplication (from left to right)
  Next, we move to division and multiplication, working from left to right. Our expression contains ‘2 ÷ ½’.
  
  Remember, dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. So, 2 ÷ ½ is equivalent to 2 × 2 = 4.
  
  The expression further simplifies to: 4 – 4 + 1
• Step 3: Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)
  Finally, we perform addition and subtraction from left to right.
  
  Starting with 4 – 4, which equals 0.
  
  Then, we add the remaining + 1 to our result: 0 + 1 = 1.

Now, what comes next in this intriguing sequence? Following the correct order of operations, we arrive at the definitive solution: 1

Did you master the order of operations and arrive at the correct answer? This puzzle is a fantastic reminder that precision is key in mathematics! Share this challenge with your friends and family to see who truly understands PEMDAS/BODMAS!