Controversy sparks online as many debate the correct solution to a basic math puzzle

A simple math puzzle has caused a flurry of controversy among math afficionados on the internet over the correct way to find the answer.

The brain-teaser, which has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), appears to show four basic equations. 

Many are attempting to crack its mysterious pattern but it defies conventional mathematics – but there’s a catch. 

At first glance, the equation may seem simple, but it’s baffled online users:

312=36

412=47

512=58

612=?

Now, social media users have been frantically trying to figure out the correct way to answer the question.

Hundreds of comments offer different solutions to explain the pattern.

The key to solving this mind-boggling puzzle isn’t applying traditional math.

It’s about identifying what the numbers to the right of the equal sign have in common.

Internet users are currently caught up in trying to solve a straightforward math puzzle that has garnered significant attention. The puzzle, shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), features four simple equations that have sparked confusion and debate among online users.

This requires thinking outside what most have learned in school.

Several users believe they’ve cracked the code.

The most popular answer is ’69’ with hundreds of users responding with the same answer.

However, not everyone agrees on how to reach this conclusion.

One user contributed their solution by suggesting, ‘Utilize the first number to represent the 10s place, and then combine the three numbers to determine the 1s place. For example, 69.’ Clearly explaining their thought process, this user shared their unique approach to deciphering the puzzle.

Another user reached the same conclusion through a different approach.

‘3+1+2=6. 4+1+2=7. 5+1+2=8. 6+1+2=9. Answer: 69’

But not everyone agreed on the answer.

At least one commenter insists the solution is ’72’. Another boldly wrote ‘9’ is correct.

One user provided a more detailed explanation.

Another commenter offered a different insight by stating, ‘The first digit on the right side should match the digit on the left side, while the second digit on the right side should be the total sum of the three digits on the left side.’ This additional perspective added to the ongoing discussion surrounding the mathematical puzzle.

Following this logic, we can see the pattern. 312=36 (First digit is 3, second digit is 3+1+2=6). 412=47 (First digit is 4, second digit is 4+1+2=7). 512=58 (First digit is 5, second digit is 5+1+2=8).

So for 612, the answer would indeed be 69. The 6 serves as the first digit. The sum 6+1+2=9 becomes the second.

This puzzle is just the latest in a series of mind-bending problems that have captivated social media users worldwide.

Another simple brainteaser left the internet baffled in March. 

The equation goes as follows: 

11+12=32 

12+13=52

13+14=72

15+16=??   

This puzzle is just the latest in a series of mind-bending problems that have captivated social media users worldwide. Another simple brainteaser left the internet baffled in March

X users have tried their hand at finding a solution to the sequence that does not follow the written rules of arithmetic and requires a bit of outside-of-the-box thinking. 

At first glance, the prompt appears to be nothing more than four basic addition problems, with all of them already solved except the last one. 

But these are no ordinary equations, as the three that are pre-answered are blatantly incorrect based on the laws of addition you most likely learned in elementary school.

So the key to solving this math puzzle is not necessarily getting the right answer, but getting the right wrong answer. 

In order to do so, you have to identify what all the numbers to the right of the equal sign have in common.

Out of the nearly 300 people that shared their final answers in the comment section of Bholanath Dutta’s post of the teaser, only a handful landed on the true response. 

The trick is adding the numbers together, and then taking the answer and inverting the digits. So, 12 + 13 = 25, but 25 inverted is 52.