A recent Edexcel GCSE Maths paper has sparked a major outcry after featuring a probability question so challenging it was dubbed 'unsolvable' by frustrated students across the nation.
The question, which involved a girl named Hannah and a bag of orange and yellow sweets, quickly went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as desperate pupils sought help after the exam. Many claimed the fiendishly difficult problem was more suited to A-Level students than those taking their GCSEs.
The Question That Broke the Internet
The now infamous problem stated: "Hannah has a bag containing n sweets. Six of them are orange, the rest are yellow. She takes two sweets at random from the bag and eats them. The probability that she eats two orange sweets is 1/3. Show that n² – n – 90 = 0."
While the question is solvable with a strong grasp of probability and algebraic manipulation, the complex wording and multi-step solution left many students feeling overwhelmed and defeated during a high-pressure exam.
A Social Media Storm
Following the exam, the internet became a hub of collective frustration. Students and even parents took to social media to express their disbelief, with many labelling it the toughest question they had ever encountered.
The hashtag #EdexcelMaths began trending as a community of bewildered exam-takers collaborated online, trying to piece together the solution and vent about the unexpected challenge.
More Than Just a Maths Problem
This incident has ignited a broader conversation about the increasing difficulty of GCSE examinations and the immense pressure placed on students. It highlights the growing trend of pupils turning to social media for immediate post-exam solace and answers, creating a virtual support network in times of academic stress.
While Edexcel has not officially commented on the specific question, the viral reaction underscores the very real anxiety surrounding high-stakes testing and the unpredictable nature of exam papers.
