This Extremely Simple Math Problem Is Going Viral

    This is pretty much my limit when it comes to mathematics.

    Matt Stopera
    by Matt Stopera

    BuzzFeed Staff

    It’s not every day that a math problem goes viral, but here we are, folks!

    Fox

    So, someone on X asked people how they add 56 + 29 in their heads:

    How do you calculate 56+29 in your head without a calculator?

    Indulge me please, I am trying to check something

    — annie (@ohhanxiety) December 14, 2024
    Twitter: @ohhanxiety

    That post has nearly 40,000 replies!

    Icons showing 39K comments, 8.9K retweets, and 36K likes
    Twitter: @ohhanxiety

    6th-grade math teachers everywhere are rejoicing!

    Now, let's go through some of the answers...

    Person with head on arms over stacked books on desk; appears exhausted or overwhelmed
    Andreypopov / Getty Images

    A bunch of people broke both numbers down into more digestible versions:

    50 + 20 = 70
    6 + 9 = 15
    70 + 15 = 85 https://t.co/B4LWTs0TZv

    — Jorge Enrique (@Jenrike12) December 17, 2024
    Twitter: @Jenrike12

    This person took 4 from the 29 to make it easier:

    Remove 4 from 29
    Add it to 56 = 60
    60 + 25 =85 https://t.co/HZV3fxtulH

    — Ćincinnati (@Unoroh_g) December 14, 2024
    Twitter: @Unoroh_g

    This person rounded each number to a multiple of 5:

    56->55
    29->30
    55+30= 85 https://t.co/1pwgKg3wzK

    — luka 🌙 (@BEEVI0LET) December 15, 2024
    Twitter: @BEEVI0LET

    This person took 1 from the 56:

    29+1=30

    30+55 =85 https://t.co/EnjPKM4X5S

    — Sam “Octane” Larew (@OctaneSam) December 14, 2024
    Twitter: @OctaneSam

    This person added 56 and 20 and then 9:

    56 + 29

    56 + 20 = 76

    76 + 9 = 85 https://t.co/DRbyTXcsn5

    — Leila (@leilapurr) December 14, 2024
    Twitter: @leilapurr

    This person added 30 to 56 and then subtracted 1:

    I add 30 to 56 then subtract 1

    — Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) December 14, 2024
    Twitter: @PhilHollowayEsq

    And a bunch of people just gave up.

    i give up https://t.co/ASfdzVPYJP

    — 🏳️‍🌈 Harusrl 🏳️‍⚧️ (@Harusrl) December 14, 2024
    Twitter: @Harusrl

    Anyway, how do you do it? Please enlighten me.

    Twitter: @KristinBingham