Watermelon Riddle

The Watermelon Riddle: A Juicy Brain Teaser

Do not read this to the end. Seriously, don’t. You have more important things to do, like wondering if cats really get more enjoyment out of string or if that doughnut in the break room has your name on it. Whatever you do, do not get reeled into this mathematical journey.

But wait, are you still here? Certainly not for a mathematical equation, right?

Let’s Not Talk About PEMDAS

Ah, the dreaded PEMDAS. You might vaguely recall in the dark recesses of your mind: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (also from left to right). But who wants to deal with that? You’d rather be watching reruns of your favorite sitcom or daydreaming about taking power naps during conference calls.

In fact, let’s just forget about PEMDAS for a moment. Take a psychological break, maybe grab a snack. The dogs need to be walked, right? I mean, it’s not like this equation will turn into a juicy piece of watermelon at the end, right?

18 ÷ 3

So, let’s dip our toes in the water. We start with 18 ÷ 3. Easy-peasy, it’s 6. But don’t get too comfortable, it’s just the beginning.

Adding + 6

Next up we have + 6. So, 6 from the previous operation added to 6 gives us…a drum-roll…12! Admit it, you love these little victories in life.

Multiplying by 2

Onward and upward! We have 12 × 2. Wait, stop! It’s really not necessary to know that mathematicians worldwide are giving you a slow, respectful clap right now. This multiplication gives us 24. Are you feeling smarter yet?

Subtracting 4

Last but definitely not least, let’s look at − 4. Subtracting can feel a little like taking the last cookie from the jar, but it’s also the sweet essence of math. Now, overwhelmingly, you subtract 4 from 24. Lo and behold, the final answer is 20!

But Wait, Did You Miss Something?

If you’ve stuck through, you’re in for another chuckle. The answer, ladies and gents, to this watermelon riddle is 20. But fret not if you missed it! The truth is, sometimes we overlook the simplicity in problems. The beauty is in catching what’s subtly placed right under our noses.