Mathematics is a controversial topic, people either love or hate it. However, it’s an inevitable part of life, and school curriculums. As such, becoming a parent means at some point more math homework. Here are 7 common kids’ math questions that have left parents feeling stumped and confused.
1. Kids’ Math Questions that don’t Add Up
The first problem with kids’ math questions is that some examples don’t “add up”. For instance, one parent was baffled when their child came home with a problem that read: An orchestra of 120 players takes 40 minutes to play Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. The asks, “How long would it take for 60 players to finish the symphony.” The truth is that the song has the same length, and number of notes. Regardless of how many people play it.
2. Danny Spilled
Another question that baffled parents, and Reddit users alike was an image and explanation that “Danny” spilled paint, so how many apples have paint on them. One Reddit user noted that it seemed more like a “sphinx riddle” than a child’s homework assignment. “Obviously this is a private pre-pre-law school. The question is meant to be objected to and argued as it is baseless and speculative without evidence or testimony to support it. Danny committed no other offense than being born into an unforgiving world set up for his failure.” Another comedically shared.
3. Janell is Confused Too
Another parent shared their kid’s math questions, with one asking for the numerical value of “some” to determine how many “marbles Janell lost”. According to Dictionary.Com “some” refers to an “indefinite quantity” meaning there is no specific numerical value for “some”. Reddit users enjoyed this picture, with one commenting, “I love that the question mark is visibly erased and redrawn. “No, this deserves a larger question mark.” While another actually shared the answer, then clarified the question may not be age appropriate. “< 15 but I don’t think that’s a fair 3rd grade question.” They explained.
4. Kids Math Questions Addressing Composite Rectilinear Shapes
These among other kids’ math questions have left some Reddit users questioning things, alongside these confused parents. One user sarcastically created their own version of kids’ math questions. “The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t. Not without your help. But you’re not helping.” They commented.
Read More: The Trickiest Math Challenge You’ll Ever Take
5. Fish Rhymes
Unsurprisingly, math isn’t the only school subject that parents are struggling with as one parent shared their child’s third grade English homework. The question is, of these pictures, which words have the same ending as fish? The pictures to choose from: a frog, a spoon, a burger, and seemingly a dish? Otherwise that homework problem makes even less sense than most of the kids’ math questions that have been presented.
6. Simple or Complex Words
Photo Credit: OllieSDdog | Reddit
A baffled parent explains that his son’s kindergarten homework is asking for a 3-4 letter word for the image that has been left blank. Interestingly, this question got many helpful responses with some suggesting they’re looking for the word pet, while another shared maybe the word kit, meaning a baby rabbit. “Tiny?” Questioned another user.
7. Kids Math Questions Stump High School Students Too
This one is baffling because it seemingly doesn’t come with instructions or an explanation and without contect, answering kids’ math questions is nearly impossible. Luckily, it was explained. “Columns add or subtract by 10.” Then, “Rows add or subtract by 1.” One user helpfully shared. “So above 19 and to the left of 10 is 9. And so on and so forth. These are pieces of the 10 x 10 grid going from 1 to 100.” However, some were still confused. “I just graduated high school, and even after seeing the comment that explained it. I still couldn’t figure it out for a minute. What grade is this?” Commented another in response.
Regardless of whether you love or hate math, another thing to consider is that the curriculum is always changing. Therefore, kids’ math questions will undoubtedly be problematic at least once while parents attempt to help their children through school.
Read More: Simple puzzle is exposing how terrible everyone is at math
