A complex math question, supposed to be aimed at 10-year-olds, has left parents scratching their heads in search of the answer. It has even stumped some teachers, posing a challenge for those who are struggling to solve it
Some people aren't naturally gifted when it comes to math, which can make it tricky for them to help their children with homework. While the problem might be simple enough for 10-year-olds to solve, it still poses a challenge for many parents.
Sky News presenter Anna Botin shared exam questions for a 10-year-old on Twitter earlier this year. However, she found herself stumped and couldn't solve a problem in her daughter's math homework, requiring assistance. This led to many others who attempted to solve it also experiencing similar difficulties.
Anna even used the puzzling question to highlight the fact that maths isn't for everyone, as she protested a plan announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in January to make maths compulsory in school subjects until the age of 18.
In a Twitter post from February, she mentioned that Rishi Sunak plans to extend mathematics education to age 18 for schoolchildren. However, she admitted that maths is hard for some of us, as her 10-year-old daughter's math homework left her stumped.
The problem in question reads as follows: "At the beginning of the day, Hasim counted his money. 'He gave his brother 1/3 of his money. He spent £12 on a present for his sister. He then counted what he had left, and it was half what he had at the beginning of the day. How much money did he give his brother? Show your method."
Below the post, numerous of Anna's followers are also left stumped as they try to solve the exam questions for a 10-year-old kid. However, many full-grown adults admit to having difficulty solving it, and some even opt to give up.
One person said: I’ve just done what everyone else has done and seen the answer from someone else and claim it as my own. The answer is £24, easy!
A second wrote: I'm 71 and grew up on mental arithmetic. So £12 plus 1/3 = 1/2. Therefore £24 plus 2/3 = Total amount. Therefore the answer is £24. Simple
A third gasped: Another I think it’s confusing for us because bob didn’t have it, I'm too busy thinking about how inclusive we’ve become since I was in school ( a good thing) to even think about working out the sum.
Someone else remarked: would just sit and cry if this was given to me. and I’m almost 43 there’s no way I find maths enjoyable or easy or fun. I hated it with a passion and still do.
This was easier than some of the other maths questions posted. Nearly everyone in the comments got it. He gave his brother £24. Having half his money left after spending £12 and giving 1/3 means he would have had another £12 and a 1/3. Spending and having £12 means that a 1/3 of his money was £24. He’s starting funds would have been £72. 72 divided into 3 being 24. Another gave the answer.
Someone explained: I changed the fraction. He gave the brother 1/3 or 2/6 to make it simpler when dealing with the next section. He had half left after giving his sister £12 (=1/3) so 12 x 6 = 72. 1/3 of 72 is 24.
