Mum shares son’s maths question that’s stumped the internet

A mum who struggled to solve her son’s maths question turned to the internet for help – but the question also left a man with a maths PHD confused.

A mum has asked for help over her seven-year-old son’s maths homework after it completely baffled her — and a professor who has a PhD in maths.

The woman shared a snap of her seven-year-old’s schoolwork to a popular Facebook group dedicated to lockdown tips, after it left her scratching her head.

In the post, the mum said the homework has never been that hard before, which is why she turned to the internet for help, The Sun reports.

Alongside a snap of the problem, she wrote: “I hate homework. Please help!”

A mum asked for help over her seven-year-old son’s maths homework after it completely baffled her. Picture: Facebook

“Is the answer to a) & b) the same or am I missing something?!”

The tricky question is as follows: “Karla says: “I have three hundreds counters, 17 tens counters and 16 ones counters.

“a) Can she make two equal three-digit numbers? If so, draw the counters to show them.

“b) Can she make two equal three-digit numbers if she had to use all her counters? If so, draw the counters to show them.”

The problem baffled even a man with a PhD in maths. Picture: Facebook

While it may seem straight forward, numerous people claimed they too couldn’t figure out the answer.

Commenting on the problem, one person said: “I have a PhD in maths, and I have no idea what this question is asking.

“Unless there’s a diagram to go with it, or more explanation somewhere else.”

Someone else asked: “How old is this homework meant for?”

A third wrote: “Clearly not for a 40 year old woman, I’m lost.”

The mum confirmed she got it right eventually – but the homework stumped numerous people. Picture: Facebook

While another added: “I’m 45 and I can’t work it out lol.”

Teresa confirmed to The Sun they got it right in the end, sharing a snap of the answer, which she wrote as 172 for a, and 243 for b.

She said: “I did and the teacher has marked it as correct! I certainly didn’t expect it to be so difficult.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Mum shares son’s maths question that’s stumped the internet