You have 60 seconds to solve this seemingly simple equation:

6 − 1 × 0 + 3 ÷ 3 = ?

At first glance, it looks like a straightforward arithmetic problem. However, it can produce different answers when people forget one of the most important rules in mathematics: the order of operations.

This type of question is a good reminder that solving an equation isn’t always about calculating quickly. You also need to perform each operation in the correct sequence.

The Rule That Makes the Difference

When an equation contains several different mathematical operations, they should not automatically be completed from left to right.

The standard order of operations requires multiplication and division to be handled before addition and subtraction.

When multiplication and division appear together, they are evaluated from left to right. The same principle applies to addition and subtraction.

A common way to remember the order is PEMDAS:

• P — Parentheses
• E — Exponents
• M — Multiplication
• D — Division
• A — Addition
• S — Subtraction

The important point is that multiplication and division have priority over addition and subtraction.

Solving the Equation Step by Step

Let’s work through the expression carefully:

6 − 1 × 0 + 3 ÷ 3

First, complete the multiplication:

1 × 0 = 0

Next, complete the division:

3 ÷ 3 = 1

The equation now becomes:

6 − 0 + 1

There is no multiplication or division left, so we move on to addition and subtraction.

These operations have the same priority, meaning we work from left to right:

6 − 0 = 6

Then:

6 + 1 = 7

Therefore, the final answer is:

7

Why Do People Get Different Answers?

The equation looks easy enough that many people are tempted to simply start calculating from the left side.

But doing that can lead to an incorrect result because the multiplication and division must be completed before the subtraction and addition.

The presence of zero can also make the expression look more complicated than it really is. Once the multiplication is completed, 1 × 0 becomes zero, simplifying the equation considerably.

Similarly, 3 ÷ 3 equals one, leaving a very simple calculation at the end.

A Quick Reminder About PEMDAS

PEMDAS is useful as a memory aid, but it is important to understand what it actually means.

Multiplication does not always come before division. They have the same priority and should be evaluated from left to right.

Likewise, addition does not always come before subtraction. Those operations also share the same priority and are handled from left to right.

So for this problem, the key steps are:

1 × 0 = 0

3 ÷ 3 = 1

Then:

6 − 0 + 1 = 7

Why Simple Math Questions Can Be Useful

Problems like this demonstrate why fundamental mathematical rules are important.

Even when the numbers are easy, changing the order in which operations are performed can produce a completely different result.

That makes these questions useful as quick exercises for checking whether someone remembers basic arithmetic principles rather than simply testing their ability to calculate.

They can also be a fun way to challenge friends and family. Give someone the expression without explaining the rule and see how quickly they can arrive at the correct answer.

The Final Answer

If you followed the standard order of operations, you should arrive at:

6 − 1 × 0 + 3 ÷ 3

= 6 − 0 + 1

= 7

Answer: 7

The equation may look like a basic arithmetic exercise, but it highlights an important lesson: when several operations appear in the same expression, the order in which you perform them matters.

Sometimes, the easiest-looking problems are the ones that remind us to slow down, follow the rules, and check our work.