If the sight of a long-division bracket makes you break out in a cold sweat, you aren’t alone. For many of us, high school math is a distant, dusty memory we’d rather leave in the locker. Yet, there is something strangely addictive about a “simple” online puzzle that manages to baffle thousands of people at once.A particular brain-teaser has been making the rounds again, and it’s not just a test of your addition skills—it’s a test of how your brain perceives patterns.The ChallengeTake a look at these equations. At first glance, they look like nonsense, but there is a hidden logic (or two) behind them:1 + 4 = 52 + 5 = 123 + 6 = 215 + 8 = ?Take a moment. What is the value of 5 + 8?Fact-Checking the “Viral” ClaimsIs it true that this problem has multiple “correct” answers? Yes. Because this is a logic puzzle rather than a standard arithmetic problem, the “+” sign doesn’t actually mean “add” in the traditional sense—it represents a hidden operation. Depending on which rule you discover, you will arrive at a different destination.After cross-referencing this puzzle with various educational and logical resources, two primary solutions emerge as the most widely accepted.Solution 1: The “Running Total” MethodMany people solve this by adding the sum of the current line to the result of the previous line.$1 + 4 = 5$$5$ (previous result) $+ 2 + 5 = 12$$12$ (previous result) $+ 3 + 6 = 21$$21$ (previous result) $+ 5 + 8 = \mathbf{34}$The Result: If you used this additive pattern, your answer is 34.Solution 2: The Multiplicative PatternOthers see a more complex relationship where the first number is multiplied by the second, and then the first number is added back in. The formula looks like this: $a + (a \times b)$.$1 + (1 \times 4) = 5$$2 + (2 \times 5) = 12$$3 + (3 \times 6) = 21$$5 + (5 \times 8) = \mathbf{45}$The Result: If you spotted this algebraic shortcut, your answer is 45.Why is the Internet Arguing?The debate usually intensifies because of a “hidden” sequence. Some enthusiasts argue that the puzzle implies a full sequence ($1+4, 2+5, 3+6, 4+7, 5+8$).If you include the “missing” $4 + 7$ step in the Running Total method, the final answer for $5 + 8$ actually becomes 45 instead of 34, bringing both main logic paths to the same conclusion.However, if you view it as a standalone list of four lines, 34 remains a strong contender.More Than Just MathPsychologists and educators note that puzzles like these go viral because they trigger our “Aha!” moment—the dopamine hit we get when we solve a mystery. It isn’t just about numbers; it’s about perspective. Whether you landed on 34, 45, or even a more obscure base-number solution, you’ve given your brain a healthy workout for the day.Which logic did your brain jump to first? Let us know if you found a third way to solve it!