Simple maths problem divides the internet

Most people escape maths problems when they leave high school, but a viral maths puzzle has probed that some people should have stayed there a few years longer.

A seemingly simple equation shared on twitter has divided the internet, as two different answers emerge, with everyone insisting that their answer is right.

The problem is basic: "8÷2(2+2)=?"

Yet no one seems to be able to agree on what the solution is, with hundreds of people insisting the answer is 1, while others are certain it's 16.

To solve the problem some people have added the numbers in the brackets, then proceeded with the problem by dividing 8 by 2, then multiplying the resulting number by 4.

As shown below, that method of working the problem out gives 16 as the answer.

"People really out here saying 1... all my hope in humanity is lost," said one person insisting the answer was 16.

The only problem? The answer apparently isn't 16.

When dealing with a problem that includes brackets, it's taught that you need to multiply whatever is inside the brackets by the number outside the brackets before you do anything.

We tried working it out that way below and ended up getting 1 as our answer, as did many people on Twitter.

"The people saying 16 need to retake math," one person wrote.

One math whiz named Laura even broke the problem down into an algebraic equation to prove that 1 is in fact the answer, showing her working on a whiteboard.

Given that she has two math degrees, we're going to trust what she says, even if the letters don't make sense to us.

But don't take our word for it, what do you think the answer actually is?