Confusing maths problem from 7-year-old's homework baffles parents

People feel as though kids' homework is getting harder (stock photo)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)


A mother has expressed her exasperation after her daughter returned from school with a maths problem so baffling that she believes it's impossible to solve.

It often feels like kids' homework is getting more and more difficult these days. The standard is so high you practically need a maths degree and an MA in rocket science to work through it.

Attempting to help her child with their school work, one mum revealed she was at the end of her tether after sharing a photo of her daughter's maths problem on social media, leaving lots of people puzzled about the answer and many more guessing incorrectly.

READ MORE: GCSE maths question leaves people on Reddit scratching their heads

Initially posted on the Facebook group Breastfeeding Mama Talk, Angie Werner revealed that her daughter Ayla's latest maths puzzle was causing her difficulties. She wrote: "OK, we're all stumped, this is my second-grader's homework - HELP!"

The mathematical riddle reads: "There are 49 dogs signed up to compete in the dog show. There are 36 more small dogs than large dogs signed up to compete. How many small dogs are signed up to compete?".

Most recently, the image of the problem was shared on Threads where people hastily assumed the answer was 36. One user wrote: "I'm no mathematician but this seems pretty easy to me. It's 36, right? " Another person, who was overly confident, incorrectly asserted: "It says "there are 49 dogs signed up to compete" right at the start! ! ! ! So the answer is 49. Looking at the responses, if y'all are actually teachers answering this with anything other than 49, it's no wonder the education system is going down the pan!!!!!".

Some people suggested the answer as 13, which was also incorrect. Impressively, a few quick-thinkers managed to crack the puzzle, with one explaining their method: "Let the no. Of large dogs be x. No. Of small dogs = x+36, x+x+36 = 49, 2x=13, X=6.5. Therefore, No. Of large dogs =6.5, No. Of small dogs =42.5. Which is not really possible. So, the question needs to be fixed."

Angie, who had previously stumped the audience, came to the rescue with the correct solution, asserting that it indeed amounted to an unusual 42.5 (tallying up with the contemplation of half a dog being at this hypothetical function). Her solution went as follows: 49-36=13; then dividing 13 by 2 equals 6.5; and add 36 to 6.5 making 42.5.

It emerged in the end that the riddle had been framed inaccurately, but it was acknowledged, "The answer would be 42.5, though, if done at an age-appropriate grade."

Do you have a story to share? Email eve.wagstaff@reachplc.com