A confusing math question for first graders is making the rounds on the Internet. Can you figure it out? The “correct” answer is below.
Stumped? Easy?
Is this how you answered?
If your answer matches the above image… you’re wrong.
This is the correct answer.
Here’s the context:
A Texas mom shared a photo of her child’s homework (see below) on Facebook, where the task was to fill in the missing numbers. When the daughter filled the “ones” column with seven and was asked to write how many “ones” there were, she wrote seven again, but it was incorrect. The mom (a former teacher) contacted the current teacher, who explained it’s part of the “new math”. The current teacher explained the “2” tens and “7” ones represent 27 ones.
Is the “new math” correct?
Many parents and commenters expressed frustration, calling the question flawed and suggesting it sets students up to fail. See the Facebook post below.