Here’s a quick and clever math puzzle that’s been stumping even the sharpest minds online—and it looks deceptively easy. If you think you’re good at math or just want to challenge your brain a little, then this one’s for you. The claim is that only a true math genius can solve this problem in just 20 seconds.

Sound too dramatic? You might be surprised. The puzzle is built around basic arithmetic—no complex algebra or advanced calculus required—but it still manages to trip people up because of one simple reason: many forget the correct order of operations. So, here’s your challenge. Take a deep breath, grab a pen if you need to, and solve this equation: 11 – 11 × 11 + 11 = ? That’s it. Just a simple combination of subtraction, multiplication, and addition, right? At first glance, it seems like something you learned back in elementary school. So, how hard could it really be? But don’t be fooled—this question has sparked a wide range of answers online, and most people don’t get it right on the first try. Before we dive into the correct solution, take a moment to try solving it yourself. Try not to overthink it, but don’t rush through it either. The equation seems easy because it uses small numbers and basic math operations, but the order in which you perform those operations is what truly matters.

Ready to check your answer? Here’s where the trick lies. Many people make the mistake of solving the problem from left to right without applying the proper rule of operations. In math, we use an acronym to help remember that rule: BODMAS (or PEMDAS in the U.S.). BODMAS stands for Brackets, Orders (like exponents), Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction. What that means is you don’t simply solve from left to right—you must prioritize certain operations first. In our equation, there are no brackets or exponents (orders), so we go straight to multiplication.

Let’s walk through it step-by-step using the correct order. The original equation is: 11 – 11 × 11 + 11. According to BODMAS, multiplication comes before subtraction and addition, so the first step is to solve 11 × 11, which equals 121. Now, the equation looks like this: 11 – 121 + 11. Next, we go from left to right with the remaining operations, which are subtraction and addition. Start with 11 – 121, which gives -110. Then, add 11, and you end up with -99. So, the correct answer is -99. Many people arrive at the wrong answer because they either start solving the equation from left to right without doing the multiplication first, or they miscalculate somewhere along the way. Some common incorrect answers include 121, 11, -11, and even 0.

These mistakes all come down to skipping or forgetting the rule of operation. What makes puzzles like this one fun—and challenging—isn’t that they require advanced skills, but rather that they test how well you remember fundamental concepts that are easy to overlook. Even people who use math in their daily lives can stumble if they don’t pause and apply BODMAS. It’s a great reminder that sometimes, going back to basics is the smartest move. And honestly, with the constant availability of calculators and digital tools, most of us don’t flex our mental math muscles nearly as much as we used to. Solving puzzles like these isn’t just entertaining; it keeps your brain sharp. If you got it right in under 20 seconds, congratulations—you probably have a solid handle on mental math and logic. If you didn’t, don’t sweat it. The whole point of a brain teaser is to make you think, and even trying it means you’re exercising your problem-solving skills. Keep practicing and you’ll get faster and more accurate with each one you try. So next time you see a seemingly easy math question, pause and remember BODMAS. It might just be the difference between a wrong guess and a right answer.