CEO gives candidates this brain teaser during job interviews. Can you solve it in 3 seconds?
A brain teaser shared on Reddit sparked widespread discussion, with users commenting on the challenging maths problem
Brain teasers have long been a beloved pastime for many, providing a stimulating way to keep the mind sharp and engaged. Recently, a particular brain teaser shared on Reddit has captured the internet's attention and sparked a lively discussion among users.

(Also read: Only the sharpest minds can correctly guess the sister’s age in this mind-bending brain teaser)
The challenge presented by CEO
A user named Back4breakfast posted a screengrab featuring a social media post from Dino Dionne, the Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Capital Group. In his post, the CEO reveals that he poses this brain teaser to every candidate during job interviews, stating, "If you want the #Job, you have 3 seconds to provide the correct answer. You'd be surprised to hear all the ridiculous excuses I've heard from people who either gave me the wrong answer or couldn't provide one! My 6-year-old solved it in 30 seconds."
The seemingly simple mathematical expression in question reads: 3×3-3÷3+3, presented on beige paper under the heading "Only for Genius." This simple yet challenging equation has become a talking point across social media platforms.
Check out the post here:
A mixed bag of reactions
The Reddit post has since amassed over 2.8k likes and generated more than 2.9k comments, showcasing a mix of confusion, amusement, and frustration among users. One user commented, "I can’t believe I didn’t get this right! How did I miss the order of operations?" Another expressed disbelief, stating, "Honestly, it’s a bit unfair to give this under pressure—who can think clearly in 3 seconds?"
Others, however, found the challenge exhilarating. "This is a great way to test quick thinking!" one enthusiastic participant remarked. Yet, some users took a humorous stance, with one quipping, “I’d be sweating bullets trying to answer in 3 seconds!”
(Also read: You're a maths whiz if you can crack this mind-boggling teaser that has everyone scratching their heads)
As the comments rolled in, many users began offering their solutions, with varying degrees of accuracy. A few commenters claimed to have arrived at the correct answer, while others admitted defeat. One user proudly stated, "I got it! The answer is 9." In contrast, another lamented, "I gave up after 5 seconds; math is not my strong suit!"
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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