As parents, we often expect to be the go-to resource for helping our children with their homework. But every now and then, a seemingly simple assignment can make even the most capable adult feel stumped. Some of the homework questions kids bring home can be so confusing or unusual that parents find themselves turning to Reddit or Twitter for answers. Here’s a look at seven homework questions that had parents baffled and the online community buzzing with attempts to solve them.
1. First-Grade English Homework: The Fish Fin Conundrum
One puzzled mother shared her first-grade son’s English homework, which asked him to circle the pictures that had the same ending sound as the word “fin.” Simple enough, right? But when the options were a hamburger bun, a frog, a jar lid, and a spoon, she couldn’t figure out what the question was asking.
Reddit users came to the rescue, suggesting that the answer may not be as straightforward as it seemed. Some pointed out that the ending sound didn’t necessarily need to rhyme with “fin.” Instead, it could just share the final consonant sound—“n.” That meant “bun” and “spoon” were possible answers. Even though the question seemed simple, it demonstrated how tricky these tasks can be for both parents and children.
2. Kindergarten Schoolwork: The Rabbit Mystery
Son’s kindergarten school work. What 3-4 letter word is this??
byu/OllieSDdog inmildlyinfuriating
Kindergarten homework is typically simple, but one parent was completely stumped by a worksheet asking for a three-letter word to describe a picture of a rabbit playing with her bunnies. The parent couldn’t figure out what word could possibly fit.
Luckily, a Reddit user chimed in with the solution: “pet.” They explained that these types of worksheets often try to trick students by subtly changing the letter sounds at the end of the word. The final word, “pet,” was unexpected but perfectly fit the image and the three-letter requirement.
3. Grade 3 Math Problem: The Missing Marbles
This 3rd grade math problem…
byu/L8asUsual infunny
Some math problems for elementary school students can be deceivingly difficult. One third-grader was tasked with solving this head-scratcher: “Janell had 15 marbles. She lost some of them. How many does Janell have now?”
The vague nature of this question left many parents scratching their heads. A Reddit user joked that the student could reply, “Janell lost her marbles,” since the exact number of marbles lost was not given. Another user suggested a more straightforward answer: “She has fewer than 15.” It turns out that not all math questions have a clear or definitive solution, which can make answering them a challenge for both kids and adults.
4. A Six-Year-Old’s Homework: Apples and Paint Splatter
So confused at a 6 year old’s homework.
byu/FeelMyXerath inpics
Another baffling question involved a visual problem that left both parents and Reddit users confused. The question asked, “How many apples could be covered by the paint? There cannot be more than 20.” The image showed a paint splatter with several apples beneath it.
Many on Reddit couldn’t figure out what the question was asking, with one user speculating that it might be a riddle. It’s unclear if the paint splatter was meant to obscure the apples or if the question was simply asking the student to estimate a reasonable number. Either way, this visual problem stumped a lot of adults trying to help their six-year-old solve it.
5. First-Grade Math: A Singaporean Challenge
Apparently, this math question appeared in an exam for Grade Ones in Singapore. Lets see who can solve it.
— mmatigari (@matigary) May 17, 2017
NdooSTEM ka Jonso @ProfJNMoyo 😅😅 pic.twitter.com/uhgQAzaHei
A first-grade math problem from Singapore went viral on Twitter for being almost impossibly complex. The question asked students to solve a problem involving shapes, measurements, and perimeter calculations.
The online community was quick to jump in with attempted solutions, with one user finally cracking the code—after tweaking the question slightly to make it more solvable. Others, however, questioned the fairness of assigning such a difficult question to first-graders. It’s clear that math problems from other countries can sometimes be a lot more challenging than expected.
6. Another Math Problem: The Perimeter Puzzle
Can you solve this maths question which has left pupils and parents scratching their heads?https://t.co/jmt1pbInNH
— Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) June 7, 2016
Another tricky math problem that circulated online asked students to calculate the perimeter of a shape, but the question was made even harder because it referred to the perimeter of another shape for comparison. This left parents feeling confused as they tried to make sense of the complex instructions.
One Twitter user sarcastically commented, “It’s very much justified to ask these to a ten-year-old,” highlighting the difficulty of the question. Solving math problems like these requires not just arithmetic skills, but also a solid understanding of geometry and reasoning—skills that not all ten-year-olds have mastered yet.
7. Solving for X: Beethoven’s Symphony Problem
That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works. pic.twitter.com/EdSSJInqEp
— Doug Mataconis (@dmataconis) October 9, 2017
Perhaps one of the most complicated homework questions to make its way to Twitter involved solving for X in a seemingly impossible situation. The problem asked, “An orchestra of 120 players takes 40 minutes to play Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. How long would it take for 60 players to play the symphony? Let P be the number of players and T the time playing.”
While the question seemed mathematical in nature, one Twitter user pointed out that the number of players doesn’t affect the speed of the performance. They humorously responded, “The math is irrelevant in the case of this Beethoven 9 problem. As a performer who has performed it many times, the speed of the symphony is NOT a function of the number of musicians performing it.”
The humorous response shed light on the fact that some homework questions may not have straightforward or logical answers, especially when they mix non-related concepts like music and math.
The Struggles of Modern Homework: When Adults Need Help Too
These homework questions highlight a growing trend—sometimes parents need just as much help as their children when it comes to solving homework problems. With schools incorporating more critical thinking, puzzles, and non-traditional questions, it’s no surprise that parents are turning to online communities like Reddit and Twitter for answers.
The takeaway? If you find yourself scratching your head over a child’s homework question, you’re not alone. Parents across the globe are encountering these tricky assignments, and it’s perfectly okay to ask for help. Sometimes the most “simple” questions can be the hardest ones to solve.
Homework Isn’t Just for Kids Anymore
Whether it’s a perplexing math problem or a cryptic English worksheet, modern homework is testing more than just children’s knowledge—it’s challenging the entire family. While some problems can be easily solved with a little bit of logic and reasoning, others seem to defy explanation, leaving parents to rely on the collective wisdom of the internet. As education continues to evolve, it’s clear that homework is no longer just for kids. Sometimes, we all need a little extra help to figure things out.
