This Math Question From A Hong Kong Elementary School Test Has Adults Stumped

Business Insider ^ | 06/06/2014 | JULIE ZEVELOFF

[SeekAndFind]

This math question from an admissions test for an elementary school in Hong Kong is going viral in China.

According to ChinaSmack, it was the second-most-popular post on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo on June 5, when it was published.

The question was part of an admissions test for first-graders. They had 20 seconds to answer. Can you solve it?

via ChinaSmack

Stumped? Scroll down for the answer.

[P-Marlowe]

Took me about 10 seconds.

Since Chinese is read from right to left, a Chinese kid could spot it much quicker.

[DaveA37]

I'd like to see that test given in all COLLEGE entrance tests, my guess is there would be very few who would get it right.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Except me, I fully expected that car to be stolen.........

I used the dewey decimal system and came up with Umberto Eco.

[ßuddaßudd]

108

[Hot Tabasco]

I used the dewey decimal system and came up with Umberto Eco.

He was the guy who stole the car?

[sten]

I wonder if it’s easier for younger kids then adults as adults would immediately look for a more complicated answer

[Future Snake Eater]

68

and then I saw it and it’s 87...

[glyptol]

Our schools. Just look under the car for the number before you steal it. Duh...

[TomGuy]

Oh yeah! I can enter a Chinese elementary school.

[I got it, took only a few moments.]

[Fledermaus]

Ditto

[Catphish]

It’s not really a math problem. It’s a spatial visual awareness problem disguised as math problem. . .

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

"But is 87 the only possible answer to link those numbers together?"

No it most definitely is not. There are an infinite number of "correct" answers for any sequence question. In this case, we all assume that the rule is: "previous number + 1" (or "next number - 1". However, there are an infinite number of other mathematical rules, that could link those numbers together.

That's a serious flaw with using sequence questions on I.Q. tests. Most "smart" people will get the "expected" answer -- usually explained as the one following the "simplest", or "most obvious" rule. However, really, really smart people might be stumped; because they know that there is no single "simple" answer to the question.

[Andy from Chapel Hill]

1

[super7man]

My wife’s response:

Its impossible to tell. The car is in the way. But it is clearly a Chinese problem because the car is parked crooked in the parking place.

[bubbacluck]

Some math.

You do have to be able to count at least up to 88.

[FXRP]

I passed.

[Focault's Pendulum]

He was the guy who stole the car?

Nope. He was the guy who ran the chop shop.

[dr_lew]

Took me 2 seconds.

[dfwgator]

Showoff.

[caveat emptor]

Phew. Entrance admissions test for first grade? And I wonder if they controlled for the 1 standard deviation greater spatial visualization ability of males.