Math problem
The Viral Puzzle
A viral math riddle has “left plenty of people across the internet scratching their heads.”
It presents a pattern challenge rather than a standard equation.
The Question
The puzzle reads:
“1+4=5
2+5=12
3+6=21
5+8=?”
As the article notes,
“Much of it depends on how you approach the exercise.”
Multiple Answers
Unlike typical math problems, “there’s more than one correct answer.”
Different people apply different rules, leading to several valid outcomes
based on logic, sequence building, or number bases.
Why It Works
The debate is what makes it engaging.
According to the article, “There are quite a few [answers] if our research is anything to go by,”
turning a simple equation into a creative brain teaser that rewards flexible thinking rather than memorization.
