Solving the Equation Step by Step

Start with:

$8÷2(2+2)$

Step 1: Solve the Parentheses

$(2+2)=4$

The equation becomes:

$8÷2\times 4$

Step 2: Evaluate Left to Right

First:

$8÷2=4$

Then:

$4\times 4=16$

Under modern mathematical conventions, the answer is:

16

Why Some People Get 1 Instead

The confusion comes from something called implied multiplication.

In older mathematical notation, expressions like:

$2(4)$

were sometimes treated as a tightly connected unit.

People interpreting the equation this way effectively read it as:

$8÷[2(2+2)]$

That becomes:

$8÷[2(4)]=8÷8=1$

This older interpretation explains why some calculators, teachers, or educational systems historically produced the answer 1.