Can you pass the intelligence test that's sweeping Facebook?

[Khadgar]

A teasingly tricky maths challenge that claims to separate the real boffins from those who just claim to know the answers is sweeping Facebook.

Some three million people have already taken the tricky 'Intelligence Test' which carries a 'share if you understand' tag on it.

Unsurprisingly, a shed-load of people have shared it, keen to show that they have an IQ of more than 150, apparently what you need to be able to understand it.

THE QUESTION:

Based on the intelligence test rule: x + y = (x - y) (x + y) and using the pattern below to help you, work out how ?+? = 123

6 + 4 = 210
9 + 2 = 711
8 + 5 = 313
5 + 2 = 37
7 + 6 = 113
9 + 8 = 117
10 + 6 = 416
15 + 3 = 1218

THE SOLUTION

If you split the answer of 123 in two: you get two numbers 1 and 23

To work back to what the numbers in question are, you need to work out two numbers where the second subtracted from the first makes 1 and also both added together makes 23.

YouTuber Talwalker has written a formula for the ?+? part, calling the first number in question x and the second number y.

Using these and the numbers 1 and 23 split out of the answer delivers:

x - y = 1
x + y = 23

This corresponds to:

12 – 11 = 1
12 + 11 = 23

Write you them together and you get 123, as in the brainteaser question which is written 12 + 11 = 123

Are you still with us? Then congratulations, you're a genuine boffin...

[Gamdwelf]

This is retarded, that's not how parentheses in math work.

[breadisfunny]

This is retarded, that's not how parentheses in math work.

did you expect something better from facebook?

[Gamdwelf]

did you expect something better from facebook?

Nope not at all.

[I Push Buttons]

This is retarded, that's not how parentheses in math work.

Duuuuuude you want to start an internet argument, you post this:

6÷2(1+2)=?

[Jotaux]

This is retarded, that's not how parentheses in math work.

Its because they are asking you to follow the pattern they set. I agree its retarded.

[Macaquerie]

Duuuuuude you want to start an internet argument, you post this:

6÷2(1+2)=?

Well it's PEMDAS and not PEDMAS right?

[Gamdwelf]

Its because they are asking you to follow the pattern they set. I agree its retarded.

Pattern recognition I remember kindy garden.

[Arewn]

About what you'd expect of facebook.

[I Push Buttons]

Well it's PEMDAS and not PEDMAS right?

Case in point.

[Dsonsion]

Is this shit real? I solved it the first moment I saw but then I thought it had something to do with (x-y)(x+y)=x^2 - y^2 and got completely lost. This is no proof of intelligence, more of a proof of being able of chewing gum and walking at the same time.

[Macaquerie]

Case in point.

You live up to your name, that's for sure...

[Jotaux]

Well it's PEMDAS and not PEDMAS right?

Wrong, its BEDMAS.

[merli]

This is retarded, that's not how parentheses in math work.

Yeah. But this test isn't even that difficult and being able to solve such a test doesn't tell you anything about your intelligence. That's probably also one reason why companies like Google stopped doing such tests in job interviews because they are useless.
But they can be fun to use as entertainment.

[I Push Buttons]

Yeah. But this test isn't even that difficult and being able to solve such a test doesn't tell you anything about your intelligence. That's probably also one reason why companies like Google stopped doing such tests in job interviews because they are useless.
But they can be fun to use as entertainment.

Speaking of tests and jobs... When I applied for a job at Procter and Gamble, I had to take an IQ test.

[Khadgar]

This is retarded, that's not how parentheses in math work.

Sorry I guess your intelligence isn't high enough to comprehend.

Hopefully this will help.

[Endus]

Well it's PEMDAS and not PEDMAS right?

No.

Multiplication and division are the same operation; there's no order difference. The issue is with the question itself; it's improperly written in such a way as to have multiple possible answers. That means it was written out incorrectly.

[Twix]

If you can solve this, you must have an IQ over 150?

[May90]

Um... Is this supposed to be hard? Because I figured out the answer in my head in like a few seconds. It is clear that the numbers should be x and x+1, and then you just need to solve 2x+1=23.

Not to mention that, strictly speaking, the rule is self-contradictory: it redefines the summation operation, while in the definition using the old one as well. The question is nonsensical.

[Gamdwelf]

Sorry I guess your intelligence isn't high enough to comprehend.

Hopefully this will help.

This whole "intelligence" test assumes you don't know anyrhing about math, if you are above 3rd or 4th grade this test no longer makes any logical sense.