Can you solve this ‘simple' maths problem found in this 10-year-old’s homework?
- Replies 10
A perplexed mum recently shared a question on social media about her ten-year-old child’s maths homework.
Do you think you’re up for the challenge of conquering the ‘simple’ maths problem?
As adults, for most of us it has been decades since we've taken a maths exam, let alone done homework. (not that we’re complaining!)
However, when a Year Five maths worksheet was recently posted to a popular Facebook group, it left dozens of parents scratching their heads.
The worksheet asked students to divide 934 children ‘equally’ into four teams, but many noted that the number was not divisible by four.
‘It’s not me, is it? 934/4 doesn’t go equally?’ The mum said in her post, drawing in hundreds of replies.
‘Complete the part-whole model to show your working out. You may not need to use all parts.’ The worksheet read.
This prompted a discussion in the comments, with many agreeing that the question was flawed as 934 cannot be split equally into four.
‘233.5, erm, who are they cutting in half?’ One joked.
‘There must be a typo here,’ another suggested.
Someone assumed that since ‘not all parts of the model’ were needed, the students only have to divide 934 by 2, thus the answer should be 467.
Others pointed out that the question referred to the chart as a ‘part-whole model’, which is a diagram used to show the components of a number.
‘It’s 934 in the top “whole” circle then 467 in two of the “part” circles,’ someone replied.
Another responded with a drawn diagram of the model with ‘934’ written in the top circle, and ‘900’, ‘30’, and ‘4’, written in the four sections below.
But this theory was quickly shut down since the problem specifically asked for four equal teams.
‘Having googled it, this is the craziest maths for primary school. So sorry I can't help,’ someone responded.
Another theorised: ‘Maybe if you use the 900 and the four from the part-whole diagram and do 904 divided by 4 = 226…. So no using all the parts by leaving the 30 out.’
The discussion ultimately ended in an agreement that the question was contradictory and poorly worded. The mum eventually closed comments on the post and said she put a note on the child's homework saying the equation could not be solved.
Now it’s over to you, members! Can you solve this seemingly ‘simple’ maths problem? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Also, if you’re in the mood for more riddles or brain teasers, check out our forum here!
Do you think you’re up for the challenge of conquering the ‘simple’ maths problem?
As adults, for most of us it has been decades since we've taken a maths exam, let alone done homework. (not that we’re complaining!)
However, when a Year Five maths worksheet was recently posted to a popular Facebook group, it left dozens of parents scratching their heads.
Can you solve it? Credit: Facebook
The worksheet asked students to divide 934 children ‘equally’ into four teams, but many noted that the number was not divisible by four.
‘It’s not me, is it? 934/4 doesn’t go equally?’ The mum said in her post, drawing in hundreds of replies.
‘Complete the part-whole model to show your working out. You may not need to use all parts.’ The worksheet read.
This prompted a discussion in the comments, with many agreeing that the question was flawed as 934 cannot be split equally into four.
Parents shared various theories in the comments section. Credit: Lum3n/Pexels
‘233.5, erm, who are they cutting in half?’ One joked.
‘There must be a typo here,’ another suggested.
Someone assumed that since ‘not all parts of the model’ were needed, the students only have to divide 934 by 2, thus the answer should be 467.
Others pointed out that the question referred to the chart as a ‘part-whole model’, which is a diagram used to show the components of a number.
‘It’s 934 in the top “whole” circle then 467 in two of the “part” circles,’ someone replied.
Another responded with a drawn diagram of the model with ‘934’ written in the top circle, and ‘900’, ‘30’, and ‘4’, written in the four sections below.
But this theory was quickly shut down since the problem specifically asked for four equal teams.
‘Having googled it, this is the craziest maths for primary school. So sorry I can't help,’ someone responded.
Another theorised: ‘Maybe if you use the 900 and the four from the part-whole diagram and do 904 divided by 4 = 226…. So no using all the parts by leaving the 30 out.’
The discussion ultimately ended in an agreement that the question was contradictory and poorly worded. The mum eventually closed comments on the post and said she put a note on the child's homework saying the equation could not be solved.
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