Mom Shared Her Second Grader Math Test And It Threw Many Adults Off

September 19, 2018

A British mom, Louise Bloxham, was the first to share the math puzzle for the second-graders. She posted it on Twitter, asking people whether it was too hard for 6-7-year-olds. The math test seems to be clear as day, however, it got the adults puzzled somehow.

via GIPHY

The equation reads:

There were some people on the train. 19 people get off the train at the first stop. 17 people get on the train. Now there are 63 people on the train. How many people were on the train to begin with?

It’s an interesting fact, but sometimes kids are faster to find the right solution than adults because they are free from so many mindsets that complicate things in our heads.

Amid the fierce discussion about the right answer, one mother mentioned.

What i find hilarious, is when i read the question to my 7 year old daughter she can tell me the answer at the top of her head.
— Daniel lauritzen (@TigerMaster78) November 8, 2017

Bloxham said she was confused to find an answer “46” somewhere on a Facebook forum for teachers.

@rachelrossiter @DuckworthRobyn @MichaelRosenYes you ignore the 19 they r red herring (presumably) so 63-17=46
— Louise Bloxham (@LouiseBloxham) May 8, 2016

Is it possible that the answer is 46? The adults just tried to find the sense in the equation.

@rachelrossiter @DuckworthRobyn @LouiseBloxham @MichaelRosenYes 63 + 17 = 80 and 80 - 19 = 61 easy peasy
— Joel Spealman (@1duffer) May 10, 2016

@rachelrossiter @DuckworthRobyn @LouiseBloxham @MichaelRosenYes 19-17=2 difference is 2 add 2 to the 17 and 63 65-19=46
— Buzznosis (@Buzznosis) May 10, 2016

@rachelrossiter @LouiseBloxham @MichaelRosenYes It is 65. x - 19 + 17 = 63
Therefore x -2 = 63 ...x = 65. Algebraic solution for a y2 Q.
— Robyn #FBPE Duckworth (@DuckworthRobyn) May 8, 2016

Some suggested that everyone forgot to count the conductor, but his presence (or absence) was not point.

Yes, 65 should be the answer....I think?
— Jessica (@Luvmtbach) May 11, 2016

The right answer is 65. There were 65 people on the train, 19 people got off, and then 17 got in; practically, just two people got off. 63 + 2 = 65. Was it hard for the second grade?