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Is this the (2nd) WORST Math Homework Ever?

Wrath of Math

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We look at a 10 year old's math homework, an intimidating piece of computation and mixed numbers posted on r/askmath. This insane math problem is an absolutely diabolical assignment, but we've seen worse I think. #maths #mathproblems #homework

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SOURCES
Reddit: any_process_to_this_other_than_trial_and_error
https://www.openmiddle.com/adding-mix...

0:00 Intro
2:24 Not All Denominators
5:50 Open Middle
9:51 How Many REAL Solutions?
14:07 Comparing
15:17 Conclusion

20 Comments

@WrathofMath Creator 10 months ago Pinned

Do you think it's ever remotely acceptable to have an improper fraction in a mixed number?

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@antony1458 10 months ago

Again, Another homework that should be solved by a computer science student rather than 5th graders

@xation6048 10 months ago (edited)

sir, another "use the digits 1-9, each exactly once" homework has hit the math subreddit

@Moist_Richard279 10 months ago

Having an improper fraction in a mixed number is wild. Just use one or the other.

@midn8588 10 months ago

I would have eliminated unreduced fractions and been left with 0 legal solutions lol

@NathShapeless 10 months ago

Interesting that there are zero solutions that both use only proper fractions and are in lowest terms.

@memedudech.1921 10 months ago

Ah yes I do often use my 6 1/7tbsp measuring spoon.

@Tyler.8046 10 months ago

Honestly, this is such a better problem, compared to the other. Notably, the solution guide didn't make me have a stroke.

@darthswag 10 months ago

So, if there is no improper fractions, and if all fractions are reduced, then there are 0 solutions.

@azuarc 10 months ago (edited)

I paused and said "hey, this looks easy enough." Then I realized that the fraction part of a mixed number probably needs to be a proper, non-reducable fraction...and suddenly it got a whole lot harder because the options for denominators were incredibly restricted.

Edit: Oh, turns out that those restrictions make it literally impossible.

@VirtualMarmalade 10 months ago (edited)

1:46 6¹/⁷ tbsp is such a heinous measurement oh my god cursed cursed cursed cursed

@SleepySpeck 10 months ago

12:55 I should note that neither solution has fractions in their simplest forms, which would mean zero of the 53 found solutions meet criteria for truly perfect mixed numbers that my teacher wouldn't deduct points for.

@quigonkenny 10 months ago

8:07 The second one, in addition to being improper, is just flat out wrong.

@leehurst172 10 months ago

“What a shocker that having a sense of morality is useful in math class…”
Sir, that is an all-timer sentence right there hahahaha

@ExtantChivalry 10 months ago

Proving there are no "proper" solutions without an exhaustive search would make a fine problem for a more advanced class.

@deez4251 10 months ago

If you write an improper fraction in a mixed number I feel like you need to be put on a list of "fraction offenders" that need to announce themselves as such to their classmates when they take a math class.