About that "viral" math question

... which is apparently freaking so many people out --

"8 ÷ 2(2+2) = ?" is not the same question as "8 ÷ 2 * (2+2) = ?"

Perhaps it will help some people to understand why "1" is the correct solution if we replace the number '2' with the variable 'a' --

"8 ÷ 2(2+2) = ?"

"8 ÷ a(a+a) = ?"

"8 ÷ (a**2 + a**2) = ?"

"8 ÷ 2a**2 = ?"

"4 ÷ a**2 = ?"

Now, plugging the known value of 'a' back into the equation, we have --

"4 ÷ 2**2 = ?"

"4 ÷ 4 = ?"

"4 ÷ 4 = 1"