Petite Circle Sum Maths Question For Five- To Seven-Year-Olds Is Completely Baffling Adults

LOADINGERROR LOADING

A maths question aimed at children aged five to seven is confusing adults as no one can seem to figure out the answer.

Twitter user mmatigari shared an image of the question that required kids to study the pattern and fill in the missing numbers - and all for four measly marks.

“Apparently, this math question appeared in an exam for grade ones in Singapore,” he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday 16 May.

“Let’s see who can solve it.”

Unfortunately, adults can’t seem to agree on the answer.

Apparently, this math question appeared in an exam for Grade Ones in Singapore. Lets see who can solve it.
NdooSTEM ka Jonso @ProfJNMoyo 😅😅 pic.twitter.com/uhgQAzaHei
— mmatigari (@matigary) May 17, 2017

Some adults believe that there’s actually a typo in the question and the number two on the bottom row should be 20.

@matigary @ProfJNMoyo Typo: the 2 should be 20 (look at position). Top and clockwise is 6, 1, 8, 9. 6+1+3=10, 1+8+3=12, 8+9+3=20, 9+6+3=8.
— Jessica Kurr (@jkurr) May 18, 2017

@matigary @ProfJNMoyo there is a typo, the 2 is supposed to be a 20, so you get 2 numbers and then add 3 to equal the number in between, so 9+6+3 = 18, and you
— Victor Hernandez (@vicyuribry) May 18, 2017

@matigary @ProfJNMoyo As @jkurr says, 2 is a typo. Put 9876 in circ on left, 6789 on top. Only 1 on right (3+6+1=10). 8 below. 9+8+3 not=2.
— Frank Poduska (@fpoduska) May 18, 2017

Yet others seemed to complete the puzzle, but with different answers.

@matigary @ProfJNMoyo 2+3=5 / 18+3= 21 / 10+3=13
12+3=15 pic.twitter.com/rhU5tVDRyU
— John Hunton (@hunton_john) May 18, 2017

@matigary @ProfJNMoyo @babaruva my best answer. pic.twitter.com/0motDgSJrl
— Noel Nyasha (@NoelNyasha) May 17, 2017

And others were just completely baffled.

@matigary @ProfJNMoyo my head is spinning. That is so cruel. I know Maths is not only my strongest but l not gud at sums end of
— Chris Chidarikire (@chidarikire) May 17, 2017

The number pattern is called a petite circle sum, where the number within the four sectors of the outer circle is equal to the sum of the three numbers in the circles touching that sector.

The numbers in the individual circles can only be one to nine and each number can be used only once.

There’s an explanation on how to do it here - any guesses?

Submit a tip