The correct answer is -30. At first glance, the equation may appear straightforward, but the key is remembering the proper order of operations. Many people instinctively work from left to right and subtract first, which can lead them to an incorrect result.
According to the PEMDAS/BODMAS rule, multiplication must be performed before subtraction. In this equation, the first step is therefore to calculate 6 × 6, which equals 36. The expression then becomes 6 − 36.
With only one operation remaining, the final calculation is simple: 6 − 36 = -30. That means the correct answer is -30, not the result you would get by performing the subtraction before the multiplication.
If you solved it correctly on your first attempt, well done! If you got it wrong, there’s no need to worry. These puzzles are often designed to catch people who overlook the order of operations. Even an equation that looks simple can require a moment of careful attention.
