From Dougie's math Homework tonight:
Each basket held 16 watermelons. Dan collected 1/2 of a basket. Kim collected 2/3 of a basket. Who collected more apples? Show how you know.
Okay. So let's break this down!
You have big HUMONGOUS baskets with 16 watermelons in each...
Those are quite sizable baskets, no?
Dan collected 1/2 of a basket, which would be 8 watermelons.
Are you with me so far?
Now, Kim collected 2/3 of a basket, which would be 10 and 2/3 watermelons.
A little complicated for 3rd grade math, but manageable.
Who collected more apples????
Each basket held 16 watermelons. Dan collected 1/2 of a basket. Kim collected 2/3 of a basket. Who collected more apples? Show how you know.
Okay. So let's break this down!
You have big HUMONGOUS baskets with 16 watermelons in each...
Those are quite sizable baskets, no?
Dan collected 1/2 of a basket, which would be 8 watermelons.
Are you with me so far?
Now, Kim collected 2/3 of a basket, which would be 10 and 2/3 watermelons.
A little complicated for 3rd grade math, but manageable.
Who collected more apples????
Wait.
I thought we were talking about watermelons??
If we are still talking about watermelons, then the answer is Kim.
Kim must be making one heckuva fruit salad. That's a lot of melon balls!
If we have switched to apples, then the answer is Bob.
While Dan and Kim were lugging around watermelons and cutting them up into random thirds, Bob grabbed the entire basket of apples and ran like hell, leaving both Kim and Dan entirely apple-less.
And that's how I know.
I thought we were talking about watermelons??
If we are still talking about watermelons, then the answer is Kim.
Kim must be making one heckuva fruit salad. That's a lot of melon balls!
If we have switched to apples, then the answer is Bob.
While Dan and Kim were lugging around watermelons and cutting them up into random thirds, Bob grabbed the entire basket of apples and ran like hell, leaving both Kim and Dan entirely apple-less.
And that's how I know.
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31 comments:
I teach math...
I do not even like story problems. The worst are trains and planes!!!
too early in the morning for trick questions...
Bob and dan and Kim should just share the watermellon and apples and not care who collected more.
So funny! Have you hit one of those "A train leaves from Chicago at 3 am" questions yet? They still freak me out, years later.
Ugh! I always hated story problems! That seems kind of mean to ask trick questions to kids! And how strong are those kids to carry around the ginormous baskets with all those heavy watermelons! Did they have a cart? a forklift?
Haha! I used to nanny for tweens and I seriously could not help them with their math homework...I was always like 'uh..um...well....I gotta go fold the laundry-sorry I can't help ya!'
Huh?
Math, yuck
Has anyone said anything about your site not coming through completely? IE not able to display?
Must go back to bed now, head hurts.
You lost me at 2/3s. LOL! According to my husband, I am not allowed to help with any math homework related to fractions and percents. In fact, I may have to volunteer in the classroom when they're learning about that so I can get a refresher.
Wait. Green apples or golden delicious? And are the watermelons seedless? And how big is that basket to hold 16 freaking watermelons? Truck-sized? And are Dan and Kim going organic? Because that's really so much better for you!
(Math STILL gives me panic attacks.)
That might be the worst story question ever. Glad to see the teachers are proofreading their assignments before they hand them out.
Oh my gosh. My mind is swirling. It's too early in the morning to talk math. I'm awful at math.
Good lord, I'm glad I don't have to help a kid with their math homework. Did the teacher really mix up watermelons and apples?
I am so confused!
Isn't school almost over? Can this just be filed in the round file & call it quits? Surely Kim, Dad & Bob have better things to do than lug fruit around? Oh, my aching head....
So is that the answer he turned in? I kind of hope so. :)
Ugh no wonder kids hate math so much.
OMG i can't focus without coffee.
I didn't even read through the whole post, you lost me when you were putting the numbers together with the words in the way you were...
I love your banner though. So cute.
Ok this does it time for more coffee LOL ;)
ROFLMFAO!!!
And the next question must have been "who's buried in Grant's tomb"?
Oh Lord. My head just hurt reading it ... and the apples would have thrown me for a loop then and now. And I don't even know how many Kim had. And the reason I never did good at word problems is 1) I suck at math and 2) I would get caught up in the story too much -- like you said about the size of the baskets. What were they doing with so much fruit? Do I like watermelon? Would they be good with apples? Did if the train that brought the watermelon leave Chicago at 6:00 am and drive 4 miles and then turn its lights on at 7:00 pm, would it pass the train from Peoria before 5:00 am?
Are you the person who left the Dear Ashton note in my comments? That was hilarious! Thanks!
ARGH! Blogger and I have to have a talk - all I can see is apples no words! I hope to be reading your blog soon!
Sometimes you are just way too deep for me!!!
That is pretty tough math for the 3rd grade.
story problems stink, so do not like them!
This is why I teach first grade! You lost me around the second line. Heaven help me when Emi is in school.
-Kacey
I can't stand the "explain how you know" nonsense. I think it would be fine to show your work or draw a picture, but sometimes it is really hard to put into words how you got an answer.
I'm still cracking up thinking about those giant baskets.
I think it is a trick question- how mean is that! Figuring out all of the watermelon stuff and then answering the question who has more apples?? The answer is- Neither! They are collecting watermelons.
Take Care, Jenni.
Jen
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