6-1x0+2/2=?

6-1x0+2/2 = 7. The answer is not 2, although it may easily appear to be. This is an example of the importance of the “order of operations”.

The impulse may be to work the problem left to right, just like reading words on the page. If solved that way, the solution becomes:

6-1 = 5
5x0 = 0
0+2/2 = 1 (or 0+2 = 2, then 2 / 2 = 1)

However, the laws of mathematics require a certain order to be respected when there are multiple operations in one equation. As more operations are introduced (exponents, etc.) the order of operations lengthens as well.

For this one, only a couple steps are needed. Instead of working the problem left to right, the proper method is:

First—solve all multiplication and division from left to right. So, 1x0 becomes 0 and 2/2 becomes 1. Now our problem is: 6-0+1 = ?

Second—do all addition and subtraction from left to right. 6-0 is 6. Add 1 to get 7.