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Original poster

Everyone loves an impossible maths exam question

99 replies

noblegiraffe · 28/05/2019 14:45

This one, from this year’s KS2 SATs apparently had children in tears and was described as ‘obscene’ by one teacher.

TBH it took me longer than I’d expect a one mark maths question for 10 year olds!

Everyone loves an impossible maths exam question
OP posts:
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6
PandaG · 28/05/2019 14:48

I got it immediately, biggest square possible is 1cut, then another cut to make the only other possible square with one cut, leaving a rectangle. But I agree, what a stinker of a one mark question

KnitterOfSocks · 28/05/2019 14:51

Just asked my 11yo if she had this question, she said it took her less than a minute and none of her friends said they had a problem with it?

SleepingTurtle · 28/05/2019 14:53

I knew it would be this question before I opened the thread!

I spend a good 5 minutes staring at on Facebook, and only worked it out once I'd read a comment from someone else that gave a clue.

I am notoriously crap at this kind of stuff though.

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General education
ButterMyBiscuit · 28/05/2019 14:53

I really can't see why that's difficult (I say as someone not gifted in maths or visualisation!)

Nesssie · 28/05/2019 14:56

I've got no idea.
Surely 2 cuts is going to leave 4 shapes? How do you only get 3 shapes with 2 cuts?

Secretlifeofme · 28/05/2019 14:56

I can't do it even after reading others' comments Blush

KneelJustKneel · 28/05/2019 14:59

Didnt take me more than a minute. You syart with 1 x 1 , 2x2 etc when they dont work, realise its one 5x 5 square and another line to divide the long rectangle left to a square and a rectangle!

TeaForDad · 28/05/2019 14:59

Spoiler.

Everyone loves an impossible maths exam question
incogKNEEto · 28/05/2019 14:59

I thought it was an ok question, but I saw it immediately... First square is 5x5 then a 2x2 square and a 3x2 rectangle? And I am usually rubbish at spatial awareness/visualisation...

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 28/05/2019 14:59

I think it’s because he makes two straight cuts along the grid lines and ends up with three shapes. If you start by thinking he’s got to cut across the whole shape you’re then ‘hang on, that makes four shapes’.

If they said Adam cuts this shape, then makes another cut that leaves him with two squares and a rectangle, it becomes much more obvious.

OP posts:
Greaterthanthesumoftheparts · 28/05/2019 15:01

I also Found this easy. On cut from top to bottom to make a 5x5 square. With the left over but make a cut from left to right to make a 2x2 square and a 2x3 rectangle.

Witchend · 28/05/2019 15:02

Don't see what the issue is really. It's one that makes you think logically rather than maths, I suppose, but other than that not especially hard.

Nesssie · 28/05/2019 15:02

noblegiraffe That makes it easier! Because I was drawing lines rather than physically cutting, I thought both cuts had to go across the whole shape!

SleepingTurtle · 28/05/2019 15:02

There's been lots of talk around this question too.

A tricky one for a lot of children who just don't talk like that.

(Image isn't mine and has been taken from Twitter)

Everyone loves an impossible maths exam question
StealthPolarBear · 28/05/2019 15:03

Yes I found that not too bad once I'd made the first huge square.

StealthPolarBear · 28/05/2019 15:04

Turtle I agree, I assume its shan't but it's not a word I write.

Purpleartichoke · 28/05/2019 15:07

My brain works like that. There is no math involved for me. I actually don’t know how someone who doesn’t just see it instantly is supposed To solve it. What equation could they write or what concrete steps would they take?

StealthPolarBear · 28/05/2019 15:08

KneelJustKneel suggested

Didnt take me more than a minute. You syart with 1 x 1 , 2x2 etc when they dont work, realise its one 5x 5 square and another line to divide the long rectangle left to a square and a rectangle!

Which i think is the logical steps

HigaDequasLuoff · 28/05/2019 15:08

I was baffled when I was assuming there could be a 3x3 or 4x4 square but once I thought about a 5x5 or 2x2 square or was easy. Took about 90 seconds.

Kids should be prepared for sats with at least one deliberately baffling question to help then learn to recognise bafflement and move on without getting worried.

Bonniefoible · 28/05/2019 15:10

I got it pretty quickly but I'm not 10. Confused

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 28/05/2019 15:14

Didn't take me long ,especially since i figured out I'm looking for a big square and a little one,but I can see why and how 10 yos might be stumped by a question like this.

ChicCroissant · 28/05/2019 15:15

I got that surprisingly quickly considering maths isn't my best subject Grin, once you realise that one line is only part-way across it is easier.

woodhill · 28/05/2019 15:18

I can't do it.

Dad's solution has 2 equal squares. 2 different ones surely leaves odd squares so not a rectangle or can you do a square within a square?

I would need to draw it not just look at it

Oblomov19 · 28/05/2019 15:19

I got it quickly.
But agree with pp:

"Kids should be prepared for sats with at least one deliberately baffling question to help then learn to recognise bafflement and move on without getting worried."

formerbabe · 28/05/2019 15:23

It's not difficult at all.

If only two cuts needed then the first square you cut must be 5 grid squares long. Then it's obvious on the remaining paper where to cut surely