Can you solve this math problem meant for 14-year-olds?
HARTFORD, Conn. (FOXCT) - Standardized testing in the United States has been quite a controversial topic in recent years. Some argue schools are putting too much focus on mastering the test, than actually learning anything. Others argue the questions are just downright confusing.
But a question from a standardized test in Singapore is now confusing adults. Tutoring business Study Room posted the question on its facebook page.
See if you can answer it.
Think about it. The answer is below.
SPOILER ALERT.
Here's the explanation from Study Room:
First we need to figure out if Albert knows the month or the day. If he knows the day, then there is no chance that Bernard knows the birthday, so it must be that Albert knows themonth.
From the first statement, we know that Albert is sure that Bernard doesn't know the birthday, so May and June should be ruled out (the day 19 only appears in May and the day 18 only appears in June). In other words, if Albert had May or June, then he cannot be sure that Bernard doesn't know, since Bernard could have had 18 or 19.
Following that statement, Bernard knows that May and June are ruled out.
Then, Bernard is able to know which month it is. So it must be either July 16, August 15 and August 17 (not 14th as then he can't know).
Since Albert subsequently can also be sure of the date, he must know it's July. If it's August, he can't be sure as there is August 15 and 17.
So the answer is July 16.
According to Study Room, Singapore's ministry of education has yet to confirm if this is an actual question on the test, but it's not stopping people from trying to figure it out.
Still stumped? Cheer yourself up with these adorably funny letters from kids:
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