They aren’t automatically evidence.
The puzzle should stand on its own.
## A Better Way to Solve Viral Math Puzzles
Instead of focusing on what other people supposedly answered, use a simple process.
### Step 1: Identify the question
Write down exactly what you’re being asked to calculate.
Don’t paraphrase it yet.
### Step 2: List the known values
Separate the numbers from the story.
For example:
* Current age = ?
* Previous age = ?
* Years elapsed = ?
* Reference year = ?
### Step 3: Identify the relationship
Ask whether you need addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or perhaps no calculation at all.
### Step 4: Check the units
Are you calculating:
* Years?
* Months?
* Days?
* Age?
* A calendar year?
A surprising number of mistakes happen because people calculate the correct number but attach it to the wrong quantity.
### Step 5: Read the result back into the sentence
This is the final test.
Put your answer back into the original question.
Does it make grammatical and logical sense?
If it doesn’t, revisit your calculation.
