My wife abandoned me and our children two years ago, at a time when things were at their worst.
When Anna stormed out of our apartment with nothing but a suitcase and the cold, “I can’t do this anymore,” I was left standing there with our four-year-old twins, Max and Lily.
We were a family for one minute, then I was alone with two kids and a mountain of expenses.
I was a software programmer at a computer business that promised great profits, but some shady things transpired, and it went bankrupt before we realized it. I went from earning a six-figure salary to receiving unemployment checks overnight.
I could see the disappointment in Anna’s eyes the day I delivered her the news. She was a marketing executive and one of the most presentable women I’d ever seen. But I never imagined she would depart during difficult times.
I drove for ride-sharing businesses at night and delivered groceries during the day.
All the while, I was juggling childcare. Max and Lily were upset and kept asking about their mother.
Fortunately, my parents were close. They assisted with the twins at night and whenever I needed them, but they were unable to assist financially.
Max and Lily, however, were my lifeline. Their little arms around me at the end of a long day, their tiny voices whispering, “We love you, Daddy,” pushed me forward. I couldn’t let them down.
I’m glad the second year after Anna went was so different. I got a freelance coding project, and the customer was so impressed with my skills that he offered me full-time remote employment with his cybersecurity firm.
The salary wasn’t six figures, but it was stable. We relocated to a cozier apartment, and I began to care for myself again. I went to the gym, cooked nutritious meals, and set a routine for the kids.
And then, exactly two years later, I saw Anna again.
While Max and Lily were at preschool, I was at a café near our new home catching up on work.
She sat alone at a corner table, head down, tears streaming down her cheeks.
This woman appeared worn. Her coat had faded, her hair was dull, and the heavy circles under her eyes indicated a lack of sleep.
So what happened? Why was she crying in a random trendy coffee shop? I knew I shouldn’t care. I should ignore her, finish my drink, and leave right away. But she was, after all, the mother of my kids.
Her eyes met mine, and her expression changed from sh0ck to humiliation.
Leaving my cup and laptop on the table, I approach the woman who had broken our home.
“You left us. You walked out without any remorse. And now, two years later, I find you crying in a café? What’s going on?”
Her head shook again. “I can’t explain it, but leaving you was so wrong. I lost my job almost immediately after. I survived on my savings; my parents sent me some money, but they cut me off after a few months. The people I thought were my friends disappeared when I needed them most.”
“I miss you,” she croaked, sniffling. “I want to come back.”
Anna reached across the table, her hand hovering close to mine. “David, please. I know I don’t deserve it, but I’ll do anything to make it right. I’ve been living in cheap apartments, hopping from one temp job to another. I’ve had time to think. I realize now what I lost.”
I pulled my hand back. “You didn’t think about Max and Lily, did you? Not once in two years. In fact, you haven’t even mentioned them since I sat down.”
I became increasingly disgusted as I reflected on the situation.
“Please, David. Just give me a chance.”
I stood, turning my back to her. “No,”
I returned to my table, snatched up my laptop, and left.
Can you solve this math puzzle
Have you ever come across a math problem that seems easy at first glance, only to realize that most people get it wrong? The equation 9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = ? is one such puzzle that confuses many. It looks simple, but if you’re not careful, you might end up with the wrong answer.
Are you ready to put your math skills to the test? Take a moment to solve it before reading ahead. Think you got it right? Let’s find out!
Why Do So Many People Get This Wrong?
At first glance, this equation appears straightforward. However, small details in mathematical rules trip people up. Here are some common mistakes that lead to the wrong answer:
- Ignoring the Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) – Many people solve the problem from left to right without following the correct order of operations.
- Misplacing Parentheses (Even When They Aren’t Written) – Some assume parentheses where there are none, changing how they approach division and subtraction.
- Rushing Through the Calculation – The problem is designed to look easy, so people tend to solve it quickly and overlook critical steps.
So, what’s the correct approach? Let’s break it down step by step.
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve this equation correctly, we must follow the order of operations. The most commonly used rule is PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).
Video : Find The Missing Number – Hard Math Puzzle
The given equation:
9 – 9 ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9
Step 1: Solve the Division First
According to PEMDAS, division comes before subtraction and addition. So, let’s divide first:
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
- 9÷9=19 ÷ 9 = 19÷9=1
Now, substitute these values back into the equation:
9 – 1 + 9 – 1
Step 2: Perform Addition and Subtraction from Left to Right
Now, we calculate in order from left to right:
- 9 – 1 = 8
- 8 + 9 = 17
- 17 – 1 = 16
So, the correct answer is: 16
Common Incorrect Answers and Why They Happen
Many people arrive at incorrect answers because they don’t follow the correct order of operations. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Answer: 0 – This happens when someone groups all the numbers together without following PEMDAS, incorrectly simplifying the problem as:
9−9−9+9−9=09 – 9 – 9 + 9 – 9 = 09−9−9+9−9=0 - Answer: 1 – Some mistakenly subtract 9 from itself first before dividing, leading to:
(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1(9 – 9) ÷ 9 + 9 – 9 ÷ 9 = 1(9−9)÷9+9−9÷9=1
These errors reinforce the importance of following the correct mathematical rules step by step.
Why Understanding Order of Operations Matters
You might wonder—why does it even matter? Well, mathematics is built on logical rules, and following them correctly ensures we get consistent, accurate answers. The order of operations is used in everything from programming to engineering to everyday calculations.
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Think about it this way: If a recipe tells you to bake a cake at 350°F for 30 minutes before adding frosting, you wouldn’t reverse the steps, right? Math works the same way—sequence matters!
Put Your Skills to the Test
Did you get the correct answer? Share your response in the comments! Were you surprised by how easy it was to make a mistake?
If you enjoy solving puzzles like this, challenge your friends and see if they can get it right! Math riddles help improve problem-solving skills and boost logical thinking.
Want more brain teasers like this? Keep testing yourself with tricky puzzles and improve your critical thinking skills! Who knows? The next time you see a math problem like this, you might be among the 10% who get it right on the first try!
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