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04th Jan 2023

People baffled by viral meme that 550 ÷ 2 = 225

Charlie Herbert

Some of you might need to refresh your maths.

The equation ‘550 ÷ 2 = 225’ has become a viral meme because people are shocked to learn that it’s incorrect.

There will be two groups of people reading this now: those of you going ‘yes obviously it’s wrong, what’s the fuss?’ and those of you going ‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN 550 ÷ 2 DOESN’T EQUAL 225????’

It’s an equation that at very first glance, most probably wouldn’t question. But read it again and you’ll realise that half of 550 is not 225. Half of 550 is in fact 275, and if you double 225 you get 450.

I refuse to break this down for you, it’s simple maths.

But something about the nature of this straightforward equation has struck a chord with people, to the extent that it has now become the latest viral meme to take social media by storm.

Taking to Twitter on 27 December 2022, one user wrote: “I was today years old when I found out 550 divided by two is not 225.”

“Is 550 divided by two not supposed to be 225? Weird numbers,” another said.

A third commented: “Ur telling me 550 divided by two ISNT 225???”

Someone else said learning that 550÷2 is not 550 had “ruined” their day, while another said: “I am actually going to end it all”

https://twitter.com/SN000ZZZE/status/1610434593047433218

But many others couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about and questioned how so many people couldn’t wrap their heads around the equation.

One person showed the workings, writing: “500÷2 = 250 50÷2 = 25 250+25 = 275 I still can’t understand how people always think it’s 225 people need to stop doing math front to back lol.”

Another said: “You guys behaving like 200+200=500”

And a third added: “This should be obvious.”

So there you go.

Whilst you’re here, allow us to also inform you that 77 + 33 does not equal 100. It adds up to 110.

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