Mathematical Problem

A Very Simple Math Problem

Addition and Reciprocal: Don’t Get This Wrong!

The order of operations is one of the first things we all learnt in school. Now here’s a little problem to see if you paid attention in class!

Here’s a hint: actually there isn’t really a hint, just good luck :)

I recommend you to pause the article, grab your pen and paper, and give this a go. When you are ready, keep reading for the solution! ✒️

Solution

When it comes to an expression involving with multiple brackets or parentheses, we always start by examining the inner most one

We first get 3 raised to the power of minus 1. Any time we see a negative power, it equates to the reciprocal of that raised to its positive value, this means we get 1/3 because 1/3 really is 1/3¹!

Now 1/3 + 1 is 1/3 + 3/3, which is 4/3.

And what about the reciprocal of 4/3? Simply flip it! We have done two things here, so pay attention!

Now we repeat the same process for the remaining bracket.

3/4 + 1 = 3/4 + 4/4 = 7/4