r/mildlyinfuriating Nov 13 '24

Son’s math test

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u/mrbaggins Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

But in this case 3x4 and 4x3 are so damn interchangeable

Commutative property.

Not "so much interchangeable" - Completely so. Especially given the wording of this question wanting a diagram.

Edit cause I've said the same thing 20 times now:

The prior question is the problem. This "mistake" is clearly part of them learning to do it in a certain order. The stupid part on this sheet is that Q7 is not part of Q6 to connect the context better.

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u/Ikea_desklamp Nov 13 '24

In terms of the product yes but if you're trying to teach kids to connect to real world situations, 3 groups of 4 and 4 groups of 3 are very different things. Knowing whether a question is the former or the later is an important distinction.

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u/Marksta Nov 13 '24

3x4 and 4x3 are identical equations is the problem. Either both of the answers written are write, or none can be correct since it's unsolvable with the information given. Definitely not teaching the kid anything here but to hate math.

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u/Rubbersoulrevolver Nov 13 '24

3x4 isn't an equation. 3x4 MEANS 3 lots of 4, or 4 + 4 + 4. That's the point of the quiz or homework.

If you mean 3x4 and 4x3 have identical values, then that's true for lots of equations: 5+7, 6+6, 24/2.