A puzzling mathematics question has so much confused father of a Year five student in the UK that he has turned to the social media to get help to solve the problem.
This mental maths question was given as homework to Year 5 primary students at a school in Glossop, Derbyshire. The question asked students to calculate the perimeter of two irregular rectilinear shapes. One of these shapes has two sides labeled as 12 cm and 10 cm. However, what makes these shapes confusing is that a small portion of the shapes is extended, making it difficult for the parents as well as the kids to determine the length of the smaller edges.
One dad was felt so baffled with the question that he is now seeking help on Facebook for solving the question.
The 43-year-old father claims he has A-Level in maths.
“My son’s grandma had spent a while helping him with his homework and most of it was straightforward but this one question left her stumped,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
“I then spent an hour or so trying to work it out but found it impossible.”
He said he even sent the question to his friend who holds a 1st class degree in economics, but has got no answer from him.
“A couple of friends are maths teachers too so I’ve sent it to them but so far I’ve heard nothing back.”
“I really do think it is impossible and it is certainly not something a ten-year-old can answer.”
“It just does not make sense.”
Many people on social media have responded, saying the answer is 44 cm for both shapes but, many people seem to be disagreeing with the answer.
The confusing question has appeared at a time when many people have complained about SATs being increasingly difficult for most of the students. Recently, a primary school in Cornwall decided to give a different and simple task to students as homework over half term.
The Year 1 and Year 2 pupils at St Stephen’s Community Primary School were asked to “play outside”, “have a water fight” and “have fun”.
“We have come to the end of a very tiring term where the children have worked extremely hard,” the staff told parents.
“The Year 2s have had their national tests and the year ones have made lots of progress in their phonics and maths.”
“We want the children to really relax and enjoy their holiday, so here is our holiday ‘home learning’.”
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