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The 25 disappears from the calculation because it has been multiplied by zero, but the surrounding numbers remain.
The expression therefore doesn’t collapse to nothing.
It simply becomes:
50 + 50 + 2 + 2
which equals:
104
So if you initially answered something else, don’t worry.
These puzzles are designed to catch quick thinkers.
The best part is realizing where the mistake happened.
And if you solved it correctly without a calculator, congratulations—you followed the mathematical rules rather than letting the equation trick you.
The next time you see one of these viral challenges online, don’t immediately look at the comments.
Try solving it yourself first.
Give yourself ten seconds.
Look for parentheses.
Look for exponents.
Look for multiplication and division.
Then handle addition and subtraction.
That small habit can prevent a surprising number of mistakes.
And perhaps that’s the real reason these simple puzzles remain so popular.
They create a tiny mental challenge in the middle of an ordinary day.
You see a few numbers on your screen.
You think you know the answer.
Then you stop.
You reconsider.
You discover that the answer depends not on speed, but on paying attention.
So, now that you’ve seen the explanation, go back to the original image and ask yourself one final question:
Did you get 104 before reading the answer?
If you did, you followed the order of operations correctly.
If you didn’t, now you know exactly where the trick was.
And next time, you may catch it immediately.
The final answer is 104.
Did you get it right without using a calculator? Tell us your answer before reading the comments! 👇