The 3-Step Secret To Solving The Viral '10 10 X 0' Math Problem That Stumps 90% Of The Internet

Every few months, a seemingly simple arithmetic problem takes over social media, sparking heated debates and dividing friends into two camps: those who know the rules and those who are confidently, yet incorrectly, answering. As of December 14, 2025, the phrase "10 10 x 0" is the latest iteration of this brain teaser, a cryptic shorthand for a classic equation designed to test one fundamental concept: the Order of Operations. The controversy isn't about the numbers themselves, but the sequence in which you perform the calculations.

The core of the puzzle is almost always the expression 10 + 10 x 0, or a slightly extended version like 10 + 10 x 0 + 10. The reason it goes viral is a fundamental misunderstanding of which operation—addition or multiplication—must be performed first. To solve this problem definitively and end the debate on your feed, you need to understand the universal mathematical convention known as PEMDAS or BODMAS.

The Biography of a Viral Math Problem: A Contested History

The "10 10 x 0" puzzle is not a new invention; it is a variation of a mathematical genre known as "ambiguous notation problems" that have circulated online for over a decade. Its primary goal is to exploit the human tendency to calculate expressions from left to right, ignoring the established rules of arithmetic hierarchy.

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• Origin: While difficult to pinpoint a single creator, these types of equations gained massive traction on platforms like Facebook and Reddit in the early 2010s.
• Intention: The problem is intentionally written without parentheses to create ambiguity and generate engagement through conflict.
• Notable Predecessors: It follows the tradition of other infamous viral equations, such as the 8 ÷ 2(2+2) problem, which also divided the internet due to conflicting interpretations of the order of operations.
• The Trap: The most common incorrect answer comes from calculating (10 + 10) first, which equals 20, and then multiplying 20 x 0, resulting in the wrong answer of 0.
• The Correct Method: The entire purpose is to confirm that the Zero Property of Multiplication—where any number multiplied by zero equals zero—must be applied *before* addition.

The Zero Property of Multiplication and Its Role

The very existence of the number zero (0) in the equation is what makes it a perfect brain teaser. The Zero Property of Multiplication states that the product of any real number and zero is zero.

In the context of 10 + 10 x 0, this property is the key element, but it is subservient to the Order of Operations. You must first determine *which* multiplication operation to perform based on the hierarchy of operations before applying the zero property.

PEMDAS vs. BODMAS: Unpacking the Universal Order of Operations

The definitive solution to "10 10 x 0" rests entirely on a set of mathematical conventions known globally as the Order of Operations. This rule ensures that every person solving the same equation arrives at the same answer, maintaining consistency in algebraic expressions and arithmetic.

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The two main acronyms used worldwide are PEMDAS and BODMAS, both of which represent the exact same hierarchy of operations, despite their slight naming differences.

The PEMDAS/BODMAS Hierarchy

This is the required sequence for solving any complex mathematical expression:

1. P/B: Parentheses (Brackets): Solve all operations inside parentheses or brackets first.
2. E/O: Exponents (Orders): Calculate all powers and square roots (orders).
3. MD/DM: Multiplication and Division: These two operations have equal precedence and must be solved from left to right.
4. AS/AS: Addition and Subtraction: These two operations also have equal precedence and must be solved from left to right.

In the US Education System, the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) is predominantly taught. Conversely, in the UK Education System and many Commonwealth nations, the acronym BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction) is the standard.

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Crucially, the fact that Multiplication and Division, and Addition and Subtraction, are grouped together and solved left-to-right is a major source of confusion in other viral problems, but in the "10 10 x 0" problem, the hierarchy is clear.

The Definitive Answer: Solving '10 + 10 x 0' and '10 + 10 x 0 + 10'

To solve the viral problem, we must apply the BODMAS/PEMDAS rule rigorously. We will solve the two most common variations of the expression.

Case 1: Solving the Core Problem (10 + 10 x 0)

The Equation: 10 + 10 x 0

1. Step 1 (P/B & E/O): There are no Parentheses/Brackets or Exponents/Orders, so we skip to the next level.
2. Step 2 (MD/DM - Multiplication and Division): We must perform the multiplication first.
   • 10 x 0 = 0
   The equation simplifies to: 10 + 0.
3. Step 3 (AS/AS - Addition and Subtraction): Perform the final addition.
   • 10 + 0 = 10

The Correct Answer for 10 + 10 x 0 is 10.

Case 2: Solving the Extended Problem (10 + 10 x 0 + 10)

The extended version is often used to make the incorrect left-to-right calculation even more confusing.

The Equation: 10 + 10 x 0 + 10

1. Step 1 (P/B & E/O): Skip.
2. Step 2 (MD/DM - Multiplication and Division): Perform the multiplication first.
   • 10 x 0 = 0
   The equation simplifies to: 10 + 0 + 10.
3. Step 3 (AS/AS - Addition and Subtraction): Perform the final additions from left to right.
   • 10 + 0 = 10
   • 10 + 10 = 20

The Correct Answer for 10 + 10 x 0 + 10 is 20.

Why This Simple Equation Stumps Millions Online

The reason these arithmetic puzzles are so effective at generating controversy is a combination of psychological bias, poor mathematical literacy, and the nature of digital communication.

1. The Left-to-Right Bias

In most Western languages, including English, we read and write from left to right. This ingrained habit causes many people to instinctively process the mathematical expression in the same sequential manner. They see 10 + 10, calculate 20, and then proceed to the next operation, completely overriding the established mathematical conventions.

2. The Ambiguity of Infix Notation

In formal mathematics, expressions are often written using Infix Notation, which places the operator (like + or x) between the operands (the numbers). However, when the order of operations is critical, mathematicians use Parentheses to eliminate all ambiguity. The viral problem deliberately omits these brackets to create a notational puzzle. The lack of parentheses forces the solver to rely solely on the PEMDAS/BODMAS rule, which many have forgotten since elementary school.

3. Confusing Mathematical Conventions with Calculator Logic

Some older, simpler calculators do not automatically apply the Order of Operations. They operate strictly on a left-to-right basis. A person using such a calculator to solve 10 + 10 x 0 might get the incorrect answer of 0, reinforcing their flawed understanding. Modern scientific and graphing calculators, however, are programmed to respect the rules of arithmetic hierarchy.

Ultimately, the "10 10 x 0" problem serves as a valuable, if frustrating, reminder that mathematics is built on universal agreements. The Order of Operations—PEMDAS or BODMAS—is not a suggestion, but a fundamental contract that ensures every calculation of a given algebraic expression yields one, single, correct result.