Mum asks internet for help with 6-year-old daughter’s ‘trick’ maths question

The mother of a six-year-old has turned to the internet for help with her maths homework – but she wasn’t the only parent who struggled.

A baffled mum has desperately asked for help with her six-year-old daughter’s maths homework, admitting she thought it was a “trick question”.

Despite the homework being aimed at kids in year one, the mum was left scratching her head over a question about starfishes.

She shared a snap of the schoolwork to Facebook group Family Lockdown Tips and Ideas, where it sparked a fierce debate.

The mum said: “Assistance needed please. I’m thinking this is a trick question.

“How do I explain this to a 6 year old. Thanks.”

She shared the question which was baffling her, which read: “In three tanks, the least amount of starfish is 4.

“The most amount of starfish is 18.

“How many could there be in the middle tank?

“Show two possible answers.”

The question appears to be testing children’s concept of ‘least’ and ‘most’, and in theory any two numbers between four and 18 could be the answer.

But the deceptively simple answer also left others equally puzzled.

RELATED: Year 12 maths question no one could answer

A baffled mum has asked internet for help with 6-year-old daughter’s maths question. Picture: Facebook/FamilyLockdownTipsandIdeas

Commenting on the post, one person advised, “Get a ruler – show 4 and 18 and pick two numbers in between.”

Another asked: “It’s just any amount greater than four or less than 18 surely?”

A third joked: “Thanks for that brain pain I’m baffled.”

Someone else wrote: “It could be any numbers between 4 and 18.”

While this mum fumed: “Crikey why can’t maths be simple?! +-x and divide.”

And another suggested: “A number line would be really helpful.

“Start with do they understand least and most and in between.

“Get pasta out and have a least and most pot – most six year olds need to see it. Good luck.”

After getting help with the homework, the mum thanked everyone who gave their advice.

She added: “Thanks everyone for your comments it has helped. Much appreciated.”

She wasn’t the only one who suffered ‘brain pain’ trying to figure it out. Picture: Facebook/FamilyLockdownTipsandIdeas

It’s not the only school question that has left people scratching their heads recently, with a question on a year 12 HSC Hospitality exam recently going viral after it sparked a “war of words” between Australian baristas.

Students taking a Hospitality Food and Beverage exam last month were asked to assess a diagram of two different caffeinated drinks and correctly name the coffee.

The first diagram showed a cup with espresso and hot water, topped with a small amount of crema which everyone agreed was “obviously a long black”.

This HSC hospitality question was branded ‘stupid’ recently. Picture: Supplied

But the second drink, which shows a cup that has espresso, crema, steamed milk and foam, had experts disagreeing over whether it is a flat white or a cappuccino.

Online reaction to the question was been fierce, with some branding the exam question “stupid”.

Eventually it was determined the coffee was most likely a flat white.

Parts of this article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission