The Internet is a funny place. While it is the perfect platform for people to form a community and be together, sharing knowledge, it is also the best podium for people to debate without a break.

And one such math problem that has got the whole Internet united to solve it is none other than one that first appeared on Facebook a few months ago.

The post was shared by one Randall Jones from Colombus, Ohio around seven months ago and has garnered over three million Comments on the post with around 140k people sharing it on their wall. The problem read:

1 + 4 = 5

2 + 5 = 12

3 + 6 = 21

8 + 11 = ?

While there are many who suggest the answer be 96, there are others who believe that 40 is the right answer. So which of those is right – and why?

The solution: 

Well, it all depends on the interpretation that you make. 96, as well as 40, can be the correct answer to this puzzle which Randall claims only one in a thousand can get.

Method 1: Simply add the solution to the previous line to the numbers on the next line.

1 + 4 = 5

5 + 2 + 5 = 12

12 + 3 + 6 = 21

21 + 8 + 11 = 40

Method 2: Now try multiplying the first number by the second number, then add the outcome to the first number.

1 + (1 x 4) = 5

2 + (2 x 5) = 12

3 + (3 x 6) = 21

8 + (8 x 11) = 96

There you have it! Which one do you think is the right one?

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