North Dakotans Can’t Figure Out The Answer To This Simple Math Problem

Let's talk about our favorite school subject, math.

Ok, you caught me, I'm kidding; most people are not fans of math --myself, included.

Let me be the first to say that I am absolutely terrible at math. I can't do it, I don't want to do it, it's not my forte by any means.

The Problematic Problem

There is a simple math problem that is causing major headaches for the people of Bismarck-Mandan.

A meme is making its rounds on Bismarck-Mandan Facebook pages; people are flooding the comments, trying to figure it out.

With that, I pose a challenge: can you get the correct answer to this math problem? Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Will this 'simple' equation stump you, or will you breeze right through it?

Let's find out.

The Problem

3x3-3/3+3

North Dakotans Can't Agree

Try to remember back to those elementary school math lessons. At first glance, it seems easy, but the longer you stare at it, the more you start to confuse and second-guess yourself.

What is the first answer that you come up with?

Are you confidant in that answer?

Lock it in...

Now, let's break down how to solve it.

As it turns out, yelling at the screen and arguing in the comment section won't help you solve this, but I have something that will.

You need to follow the "Rule of Operations" (BEDMAS)

B - Bracket

E - Exponents

D - Division

M - Multiplication

A - Addition

S - Subtraction

That is the order you're supposed to follow when solving this problem.

You also want to go from left to right.

PROBLEM: 3x3-3/3+3

The actual answer is....drumroll please... 11.

Did you get it right?