This Singaporean Primary 5 Math Question Is So Difficult It Went Viral
Cheryl is a tease.
By Mei Mei Chu — 13 Apr 2015, 03:58 PM
Try solving this primary school mathematic question from the Singaporean Primary Year 5 syllabus
Can you solve the problem? Don't feel bad if you are stumped by a math question designed for 11-year-olds. The question triggered an international debate over the right answer.
The mathematic question was first posted by Singaporean TV presenter Kenneth Kong on his Facebook page as he exclaimed that the question started a debate with his wife. The question started more than just that. After it was posted on Facebook, the question quickly went viral over the Internet, catching the attention of people across the globe. Many were surprised at how difficult the Singaporean Primary 5 syllabus is.
Another debate that has risen is the difficulty level of the Singaporean school syllabus that parents say are placing students under tremendously high pressure
Readers of The Straits Times Singapore say this is a classic logic problem for high schoolers, it is unfair to make a Primary 5 answer a question that is beyond their cognitive capabilities. Other readers say that questions like this will make students hate math.
Others say it is fair as a homework question to stretch young minds.
Singapore's maths syllabus - which has a strong focus on problem solving and using model drawings - has been adopted in a number of South-east Asian countries, the United States and even South America.
However, Singapore parents have raised concerns at times that pupils are being placed under tremendous stress in school.
If you think the Singapore Primary 5 question was hard, try this Hong Kong admission test question for first graders (6-year-old)
Scroll down for the answer.
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