9 yr olds maths homework - some help?

[WildCards]

My 9 year old has some Math's homework which he's stuck on, unfortunately it has me stumped too. Can any of you chaps shed any lilght on the answer;

The ??? represent the number my son needs to enter to complete the equation, the 4 numbers entered need to work both horizontally and vertically.






Right, whacked up a Jpeg as the damn forum text is doolally. No, definately multiplication.

Edited by WildCards on Wednesday 28th October 17:18

[Cactussed]

I suspect the problem is incorrect...

[crofty1984]

the same number? Wierd.

[Landlord]

Cactussed said:

I suspect the problem is incorrect...

My thoughts too but I'm no genius mathematician. Just good with figures, noworrimean ladies! Wurhay!

[ErnestM]

Are you sure vertical is not "+" ?

[crofty1984]

I can get it working 3 ways. 8, 2, 1, 4 (as you read)
That gives:
8*2=16
1*14=14 (wrong I know)
8*1=8
2*14=28

[carter711]

It can't work as far as I can see?

[speedychrissie]

if the question is exactly as you have written it, then I concur with the others that it is not possible.

It is basically 4 equations:

A x B = 16
C x D = 28
A x C = 8
B x D = 28

by that logic B must be the same as C, but C must also be half of B.

not possible.

[fatvik]

I agree, the problem does appear to be wrong

a * b = 16
c * d = 28
a * c = 8
b * d = 28

therefore c*d = b*d
therefore b = c
then a * b must = a * c

[Eric Mc]

Are they supposed to be two separate equations?

[WildCards]

No, the equation is as you see above, so the answers create a box which needs to work four ways.

Thank you all for the attempts, I'll tell him to query it with his teacher as the problem does appear to be incorrect.

[Lefty Guns]

How annoying is that?!

[Mattygooner]

Sudoku!!!!

[anonymous-user]

14

[WorAl]

16 im sure is supposed to be 14 isn't it?

[Schmeeky]

The answer is 42.


Actually, print off this to show to the teacher...

fatvik said:

I agree, the problem does appear to be wrong

a * b = 16
c * d = 28
a * c = 8
b * d = 28

therefore c*d = b*d
therefore b = c
then a * b must = a * c

Should have been easy enough to check it was right.....

[rhinochopig]

And they say exams are getting easier

Send your son in with the words See Me written in red pen on his home work.

[cs02rm0]

Surely?

[Neil_H]

I agree it can't be done as written, either a number or a symbol must be wrong.

[Eric Mc]

It says a lot when the people who set the problem aren't able to write it out properly.