6 / 2(1+2) = x

GPT-5.5

Vote: x = 9

Using the standard order of operations, evaluate the parentheses first: (1+2)=3. Then division and multiplication have the same precedence and are evaluated left to right: 6 / 2 × 3 = 3 × 3 = 9. So the correct choice is "x = 9". The answer "x = 1" comes from treating 2(1+2) as if it must be grouped as the entire denominator, but that grouping is not indicated by the written expression.

Mistral Large 3

Vote: x = 9

The equation in question is "6 / 2(1+2) = x". To solve this, we must follow the standard order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)). First, we solve the expression inside the parentheses: (1+2) = 3. The equation now becomes "6 / 2 * 3 = x". Next, we perform division and multiplication from left to right. Division comes first in this case: 6 / 2 = 3. The equation now is "3 * 3 = x". Finally, we perform the multiplication: 3 * 3 = 9. Therefore, x = 9. The confusion often arises from interpreting the expression as 6 divided by the product of 2 and (1+2). However, according to the standard order of operations, division and multiplication have the same precedence and are evaluated from left to right. Thus, the correct interpretation leads to x = 9.

Claude Opus 4.7

Vote: x = 9

Following standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), the expression 6 / 2(1+2) is evaluated left to right after resolving the parentheses. First, (1+2) = 3. Then 6 / 2 = 3, and 3 × 3 = 9. Implicit multiplication does not have higher precedence than division in standard mathematical convention as taught in most modern textbooks and implemented in calculators like WolframAlpha and Google. Therefore x = 9.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: x = 9

According to the standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), we must first evaluate the expression inside the parentheses: 1 + 2 = 3. The equation then becomes 6 / 2 * 3. Since multiplication and division share equal precedence, they must be evaluated strictly from left to right. First, we perform the division: 6 / 2 = 3. Next, we perform the multiplication: 3 * 3 = 9. Therefore, x = 9.

Grok 4.20

Vote: x = 9

Evaluate inside the parentheses first: 1 + 2 = 3. The expression simplifies to 6 / 2(3), or equivalently 6 / 2 * 3. Multiplication and division have equal precedence and associate left to right. Compute 6 / 2 = 3, then 3 * 3 = 9. The notation 2(3) is simply 2 * 3; no special grouping is implied without parentheses. Strict order of operations therefore yields x = 9.

DeepSeek V4 Pro

Vote: x = 9

Das Ergebnis der Gleichung 6 / 2(1+2) = x ist 9. Ausschlaggebend ist die Reihenfolge der Operationen (Punkt-vor-Strich, Klammern zuerst, dann von links nach rechts). Zuerst wird die Klammer berechnet: (1+2) = 3. Der Ausdruck lautet dann 6 / 2 * 3. Da Division und Multiplikation gleiche Priorität haben, wird von links nach rechts gerechnet: 6 / 2 = 3, dann 3 * 3 = 9. Die implizite Multiplikation durch die Klammer hat keine höhere Priorität als die explizite Division.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable reached a swift consensus on this viral mathematical trap, with all six models correctly identifying x = 9. While the expression often baits humans into giving implicit multiplication higher priority, Claude Opus 4.7 and GPT-5.5 led the charge by clarifying that standard modern conventions require a strict left-to-right evaluation once the parentheses are cleared.

All 6 models agreed on "x = 9" after discussion

Strongest Arguments

• x = 9: Standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) dictates that after resolving parentheses, multiplication and division have equal precedence and must be evaluated left to right; implicit multiplication does not override this rule in modern mathematical conventions.