A maths problem intended for a 7-year-old has left a British teacher and social media users baffled. Bobby Seagull, a maths teacher and University Challenge star, shared the question on Threads, admitting he could not solve it.
The problem reads: "5)a) Dina is baking. The cake bakes from 11 o'clock until half past 11. The brownies bake from 10 past 11 until 25 to 12. Do you agree with Dina? Explain your answer." However, as many commenters noted, Dina's statement is missing, making the question unsolvable without additional context.
Former teacher Caroline Farkas told Newsweek the problem is likely a discussion prompt rather than a straightforward calculation. She suggested using visual aids like number lines to help students understand time intervals.
Social media users criticised the confusing wording, with one noting that "25 to 12" is an unusual phrasing for 11:35. Others calculated the baking times: the cake takes 30 minutes, while the brownies take 25 minutes, contradicting a possible implied statement that brownies take longer.
Seagull's post has garnered over 117,000 views, sparking debate about the clarity of primary school maths problems.
