This summer, battle lines were drawn over a simple math problem: 8 ÷ 2(2 + 2) = ? If you divide 8 by 2 first, you get 16, but if you multiply 2 by (2 + 2) first, you get 1. So, which answer is right?

Two times two is four. Ten times 10 equals 100. Twelve times 12 equals 144. Every adult can remember learning and reciting his multiplication tables.