IQ Test Question 4: Solve This Math Puzzle with Order of Operations
This picture puzzle looks easy until the final equation appears. To get the right answer, you need to identify each icon value, stay calm, and apply the order of operations correctly. If you enjoy math puzzles with answers and thoughtful logical puzzles, this challenge is a good one to test your observation skills.
Not every IQ-style question needs advanced mathematics. Sometimes a puzzle is really a test of discipline: can you read the symbols carefully, assign the right values, and solve the final line without rushing? That is exactly what this article explains.
Puzzle Question
Can you solve it before opening the answer?
Look closely at the image below. Each gaming-themed icon has a fixed numerical value. First identify those values from the equations shown in the picture, then solve the final expression carefully.
Correct answer: 02
Icon values from the puzzle:
- AWM icon = 05
- AK-style rifle icon = 02
- Helmet icon = 12
Final expression: 12 - 5 x 2
Multiply first: 5 x 2 = 10
Then subtract: 12 - 10 = 02
Hint
Step-by-Step Solution
The first part of the puzzle is all about extracting the correct values from the image. Once those values are clear, the final answer becomes straightforward.
| Icon | Value | How we know |
|---|---|---|
| AWM icon | 05 | Derived from the first equation in the image |
| AK-style rifle icon | 02 | Derived from the second equation in the image |
| Helmet icon | 12 | Derived from the third equation in the image |
Apply the final expression
The last line of the puzzle can be read as:
Now substitute the values from the table:
- Helmet = 12
- AWM icon = 5
- AK-style rifle icon = 2
- The expression becomes 12 - 5 x 2
- According to BODMAS or PEMDAS, multiplication comes before subtraction
- So 5 x 2 = 10
- Now solve 12 - 10 = 2
This is why option (A) 02 is correct. If you enjoy this sort of reasoning challenge, you may also like this earlier IQ test question and these pattern-based missing number puzzles.
Common Mistake
Why This Puzzle Works
This question is engaging because it mixes visual interpretation with basic arithmetic. The math itself is simple, but the puzzle rewards patience, careful reading, and logical sequencing. That is why picture-based questions like this remain popular in brain teaser collections and classroom-style reasoning practice.
Related Puzzles on IQTestes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct answer to IQ Test Question 4?
The correct answer is 02. The last line becomes 12 - 5 x 2, and multiplication must be solved first.
Why is the answer not 14 or 16?
Those answers usually come from using the wrong order of operations or misreading the icon values from the image.
What rule is used to solve this puzzle?
The puzzle uses the order of operations, often remembered as BODMAS or PEMDAS. In this case, multiplication is completed before subtraction.
Are picture math puzzles good practice?
They can be a helpful way to practise observation, arithmetic, and logical sequencing. They are best treated as skill-building brain teasers rather than formal intelligence measurements.
References
- Khan Academy: Order of Operations Review
- Britannica: Intelligence Test
- Britannica: IQ
- National Institute on Aging: Cognitive Health and Older Adults