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A viral math question that has 2 solutions is stumping the internet

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There are two ways to solve this math problem that's going viral online.  ESB Professional / Shutterstock

The INSIDER Summary:

  • This math equation is sparking a debate on Facebook. 
  • With two possible answers, no one can decide which answer is correct. 
  • Do you have what it takes to find them both? 


Do you feel pretty confident in your math skills? If so, you may want to peruse the math question that has people on Facebook freaking out over it's two possible solutions. 

Spotted on The Daily Mail, the question was originally created by Go Tumble and shared on Wikr before taking off on Facebook. 

The creator of the riddle-slash-math-question notes that this isn't a simple equation, and it requires some creative thinking.

"Firstly, think outside the box! This math riddle is not that simple," the user writes. "Even though there’s usually one right answer for math problems, two common solutions are causing heated debates all over the world!" 

Here's the question: 

Solution 1: Add the equation, then combine the sum to that of the previous equation. 

Let's do this together.

First line: 1 + 4 = 5

Second line: 2 + 5 = 7. So add the first sum of the previous equation, like so: 5 + 7 = 12

Third line: 3 + 6= 9, so add 9 + 12 = 21. 

Solution: 8 + 11 = 19, so add 19 + 21 = 40.

40 is a widely accepted and correct answer. However, it's not the only correct one. 

Solution 2: Instead of just adding, this second solution involves multiplying the second number of the equation by the number you are adding to it. 

First line: 1 + (4 x 1) = 5

Second line: 2 + (5 x 2) = 12

Third line: 3 + (6 x 3) = 21

Solution: 8 + (11 x 8) = 96  

So either 40 or 96 are correct answers to this question. Consider our minds blown.

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Emily is a writer and reporter living in New York. She was a Health Writing Intern at INSIDER and is now a freelance writer covering all things health, food, and fitness. She joined INSIDER from the Food Network, where she was a Snapchat Discover intern covering everything food. Before the Food Network, she worked and wrote for HerCampus Media, Spoon University, and Westchester Magazine among other publications. Emily holds a BA from Pace University in Communications.