This Mental Math Challenge Seems Simple… But It Traps Almost Everyone!

The Calculation That Seems Obvious… But Isn’t

Here’s the addition in question:

1000 + 40 + 1000 + 30 + 1000 + 20 + 1000 + 10

Instinctively, many people add the thousands together and then the tens, without realizing it. The logic seems quick, efficient. Result: 1000 multiplied by four gives 4000, add “about” 1000… and they report 5000.

But this mental shortcut is exactly where the trap springs.