The Math Trick Puzzle

Pick a number from 1 to 10. Multiply it by 2, add 10, divide it by 2, and then subtract the number you picked. What is it?

The answer is 5.

Explanation:
Let the number you pick be xx:

  1. Multiply it by 2:
    2x2x
  2. Add 10:
    2x+102x + 10
  3. Divide it by 2:
    2x+102=x+5\frac{2x + 10}{2} = x + 5
  4. Subtract the original number (xx):
    x+5−x=5x + 5 – x = 5

The result is always 5, regardless of the number you start with.

48
16