We’ve all been there—sitting at the kitchen table, squinting at a child’s homework and wondering if the curriculum has changed or if we’ve simply forgotten everything we learned in school. But when one American dad was stumped by a maths problem meant for his 10-year-old son, he did what any modern parent would do: he turned to the internet for help. And, as it turns out, he wasn’t alone in his confusion!

Let’s set the scene: a fifth-grade maths worksheet, a seemingly straightforward word problem, and a parent left scratching his head. The question read:



‘Kayla has 18 bottles of bubbles. She wants to give two bottles to each of her six friends. How many bottles will she have left over? Which expression solves the problem?
A) (18 ÷ 2) ÷ 6
B) (18 ÷ 2) + 6
C) (18 × 2) – 6
D) (18 × 2) + 6’

Now, if you’re anything like us, you’re already reaching for a pen and paper. The dad’s logic was simple: if Kayla gives two bottles to each of her six friends, that’s 2 × 6 = 12 bottles given away. She started with 18, so 18 – 12 = 6 bottles left over. Easy, right? But none of the provided options matched this calculation.



The dad posted the conundrum on Reddit, admitting, ‘I must be missing something in how it’s worded but I can’t for the life of me figure it out.’ The internet, as always, was quick to respond—though not with the clarity he’d hoped for. Some users speculated there was a typo or misprint, while others tried to reverse-engineer the logic behind the answer choices. A few even attempted some mental gymnastics to justify why option A might be correct, but as one commenter pointed out, ‘If you simplify A, you get 1.5, which doesn’t make any sense in the context of the problem.’

The consensus? The worksheet was wrong, and the dad’s original answer was spot on. After a chat with the teacher, it was confirmed: none of the options were correct, and the dad’s method was the right one. Crisis averted, but not before a few grey hairs were added to the mix!

But this isn’t an isolated incident. Another parent, this time a mum, found herself equally baffled by a homework question involving ‘lines’ and ‘dots’—a classic case of maths lingo lost in translation. The question asked her child to ‘show one exchange he could make’ with nine lines and two dots, each line worth 10 and each dot worth one. The answer? Swap one line (10) for 10 dots (ones), so you’d have 8 lines and 12 dots—still 92 in total, just represented differently. Simple, once you know the trick, but not so obvious if you’re out of practice!



So, what’s going on here? Why are so many parents left scratching their heads over primary school maths?

The Changing Face of Maths Education

Maths teaching has evolved over the years. Today’s curriculum often focuses on ‘number sense’ and understanding different ways to represent numbers, rather than just memorising formulas. While this approach can help kids develop a deeper understanding, it can also leave parents feeling out of the loop—especially when the questions are worded in unfamiliar ways or rely on teaching aids (like ‘tens rods’ and ‘ones blocks’) that weren’t used in their own school days.



When Homework Becomes a Family Affair

If you’ve ever felt like you need a degree in cryptology to decipher your grandchild’s homework, you’re not alone! Many parents and grandparents find themselves learning alongside their kids, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s a great opportunity to model problem-solving, persistence, and the value of asking for help when you’re stuck.

Tips for Tackling Tricky Homework



1. Break it Down: Read the question carefully and identify what’s being asked. Sometimes, rephrasing it in your own words can help.
2. Draw a Picture: Visual aids can make abstract problems more concrete—especially for word problems.
3. Check the Maths: Do the calculation yourself, then see if any of the answer choices match. If not, there might be a typo!
4. Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers or use online resources. There are plenty of forums (like Reddit) where you can get a second opinion.
5. Stay Positive: Remember, it’s okay not to know everything. The important thing is to keep trying and to show your kids that learning is a lifelong process.

Have You Been Stumped by Homework?

We’d love to hear your stories! Have you ever been left scratching your head over a child or grandchild’s homework? Did you find the answer, or did you have to call in reinforcements? Share your tales—and your tips—in the comments below. Let’s see if the Seniors Discount Club community can outsmart the trickiest of homework questions!



And if you’re feeling brave, here’s a challenge:
Kayla has 18 bottles of bubbles. She gives two bottles to each of her six friends. How many bottles does she have left?
Let us know your answer—and how you worked it out!


Remember, you’re never too old to learn something new (or to be stumped by a 10-year-old’s maths homework)!