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Can You Answer This 'Impossible' Maths Problem Meant For 7 Year Olds?

Can You Answer This 'Impossible' Maths Problem Meant For 7 Year Olds?

Most 37 year olds wouldn’t get this. Just remember kids, if something is really difficult, it’s not worth doing.

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Think you're pretty smart? Did you get a C in GCSE Maths before they stopped using letters altogether and started using numbers? Well, why not take a stab at this maths problem? Before you look, it's worth bearing in mind that this puzzle is aimed at 7 year olds.

The problem was sent home with Ayla Werner, the daughter of Angie Werner and an American second grader.

The question 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?"

Ayla showed her mum with the maths problem - and Angie was baffled.
Facebook

The homework that kids get sent home with is definitely getting more difficult. Most adults wouldn't be able to work that out.

Angie decided to ask the internet hive mind, posting the teaser on Facebook to the private group 'Breastfeeding Mama Talk' - which, as an aside, is the best band name I've ever heard.

But none of her pals in the group could help her out, either. Not to be outdone by a children's maths problem she used her adult reasoning and did the sensible thing - asked the teacher.

via GIPHY

Ready for the big reveal? The answer is 42.5.

Yes, 42.5 - meaning that somewhere at this dog show is a gory bleeding half-dog that has been cut directly in half.

Here's the working out: 49 - 36 = 13. 13/2 = 6.5. 36 + 6.5 = 42.5.

According to Angie the school district got it all wrong anyway, she said: "The district worded it wrong. The answer would be 42.5, though, if done at an age-appropriate grade."

If any 7 year olds got this right, there are a couple of jobs going here at LADbible. They can already work out harder maths problems than most of us.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Maths, UK News, Funny, Interesting