Think You’re Good at Mental Math? Try This—No Calculator, No Paper, Just Your Mind.
Ready for a quick challenge? Don’t rush. Read carefully and add step by step.
Take 1000 and add 40.
Now add another 1000.
Now add 30.
Add another 1000.
Now add 20.
Add another 1000.
Finally, add 10.
Pause for a moment.
What’s the total?
This simple-looking math puzzle has gone viral for one reason: it tricks a lot of people. Even confident problem-solvers often blurt out the wrong answer without realizing where they slipped.
In fact, studies and social media polls suggest that around 40% of people get this wrong on their first try.
So—what did you get?
Many people confidently answer 5000.
But let’s slow it down and do it properly.
Step-by-step solution:
First, group the thousands:
1000 + 1000 + 1000 + 1000 = 4000
Now add the smaller numbers:
40 + 30 + 20 + 10 = 100
Finally, combine them:
4000 + 100 = 4100
✅ The correct answer is 4100.
Surprised? If you don’t believe it, feel free to double-check with a calculator—but your brain can handle it just fine when you slow down.
Want another quick brain test?
Solve this without rushing:
16 – 4 ÷ (1/4) + 2
Take it step by step:
-
Divide first:
4 ÷ (1/4) = 4 × 4 = 16 -
Plug it back in:
16 – 16 + 2 = 2
✅ Correct answer: 2
These puzzles aren’t about being bad at math—they reveal how easily our brains rush patterns instead of following order and structure.
So…
Did you get both answers right?
If yes, congratulations—you paid attention where many don’t.
If not, don’t worry. That’s the fun of brain teasers.
Share your answers and see how many others cracked the code!
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