# Deceptively easy math word problems for high school kids **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 2, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563 "2012-02-02T19:31:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/61 "2012-02-03T20:55:59Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > You’re in a two lap race and each lap is one mile long. At the end of lap one you’ve averaged 30 mph. How fast do you have to go in lap 2 to average 60 mph? Darn, this is the one I was going to post. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/62 "2012-02-03T21:13:55Z")
The was an old _Fox Trot_ cartoon where Peter is reading a math quiz that says something like: If a class of 40 students take a test and 12 of them get an F, what percent weren’t paying attention in class? As he finishes reading the teacher says “I see about 30% of you seem to be having trouble with the first problem.” ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/63 "2012-02-03T23:01:35Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > If you have one bucket that holds 2 gallons, and another bucket that holds 5 gallons, how many buckets do you have? Uhh are they filled with Brawndo? I like money (Darnit, you stole my response!) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/64 "2012-02-03T23:31:09Z")
Paperclips cost .05 cents each. How much do 1000 paperclips cost? [Reference](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2isSJKntbg) ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/65 "2012-02-03T23:35:33Z")
Take four 9’s; 9-9-9-9; and put them in a mathematical equation to equal 100. There are 2 answers that I know of. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/66 "2012-02-03T23:54:03Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > Take four 9’s; 9-9-9-9; and put them in a mathematical equation to equal 100. There are 2 answers that I know of. ceil(sqrt(9999)) 99 - floor(sin(99)) (9 + floor(sqrt(sqrt(9)))(9 + floor(sqrt(sqrt(9))) ceil(tan(99)\*(tan(tan(tan(tan(tan(tan(tan(9))))))) - sqrt(9))) What :)? ---
**Author:** ![Normal\_Phase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Normal\_Phase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Normal_Phase)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/67 "2012-02-03T23:55:25Z")
99+(9/9) ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/68 "2012-02-03T23:57:17Z")
> [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > 99+(9/9) Very good, still one more answer. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/69 "2012-02-04T00:20:14Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > Take four 9’s; 9-9-9-9; and put them in a mathematical equation to equal 100. There are 2 answers that I know of. > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > ceil(sqrt(9999)) > > 99 - floor(sin(99)) > > (9 + floor(sqrt(sqrt(9)))(9 + floor(sqrt(sqrt(9))) > > ceil(tan(99)\*(tan(tan(tan(tan(tan(tan(tan(9))))))) - sqrt(9))) > > What :)? > [@Normal\_Phase](#): > > 99+(9/9) None of these are equations: I don’t see a single = anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/70 "2012-02-04T00:24:23Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > None of these are equations: I don’t see a single = anywhere. He meant expressions. I see the mistake often enough that I hardly distinguish between the two terms anymore. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/71 "2012-02-04T00:28:28Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > very good, still one more answer. (9/9) + 99 = 100 :d ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/72 "2012-02-04T00:31:31Z")
A bus driver starts out his day on his route. On his first stop he picks up 2 passengers. On his second stop he drops off one, picks up 5. On the next he drops off 3, and picks up 8. Next, he picks up 12, and drops off 4. Then he picks up 10 and drops off 9. Next, he picks up 12, and drops off 2, then he picks up 5 and drops off 4. Finally, he picks up 8 and drops off 9. How many stops did he make? I also like the George Carlin line: "If I ask you, ’ a penny for your thoughts’, and you throw in your two cents, what happens to the other penny? ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/73 "2012-02-04T00:35:46Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > (9/9) + 99 = 100 > > :d Normal phase had it right also, you just added an = sign. The other answer is; 99 divided by \*\*.\*\*99 = 100 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/74 "2012-02-04T00:44:21Z")
A plane takes from Paris, flies over England, Ireland, Iceland, and Canada and crashes in Memphis. Where do they bury the survivors? You don’t bury survivors ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/75 "2012-02-04T00:48:05Z")
A train leaves new york city at 7 AM eastern time. A train leaves Los Angeles at 5 PM pacific time same day. The NY train is travelling at 100 miles an hour. The LA train is travelling at 150 miles an hour. Assuming the tracks run side by side as not to collide, when they meet, which train is farthest from NY city. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/76 "2012-02-04T00:56:03Z")
Let’s stop being stubborn, people. **There is no dirt in a hole**. It is empty. And furthermore, who said the hole is in the ground? Maybe it’s in a snowbank. Here, look at it this way: I have a 10 oz. glass that I fill with water. How much water is in the glass? 10 oz. right? Right! Now I dump the water down the sink. How much water is in the glass now? Nothing! Class dismissed. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/77 "2012-02-04T01:32:47Z")
> [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](#): > > A bus driver starts out his day on his route. > > On his first stop he picks up 2 passengers. On his second stop he drops off one, picks up 5. On the next he drops off 3, and picks up 8. Next, he picks up 12, and drops off 4. Then he picks up 10 and drops off 9. Next, he picks up 12, and drops off 2, then he picks up 5 and drops off 4. Finally, he picks up 8 and drops off 9. > > How many stops did he make? I don’t get it. I mean, it would be tricky to answer because you’d be paying attention to the running count of students, but is there something more subtle than that? ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/78 "2012-02-04T01:41:09Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > Normal phase had it right also, you just added an = sign. > > The other answer is; > > 99 divided by \*\*.\*\*99 = 100 No, I changed the order of division and addition signs 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/79 "2012-02-04T01:53:14Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > A train leaves new york city at 7 AM eastern time. A train leaves Los Angeles at 5 PM pacific time same day. The NY train is travelling at 100 miles an hour. The LA train is travelling at 150 miles an hour. Assuming the tracks run side by side as not to collide, when they meet, which train is farthest from NY city. The one coming from LA. Most people will define “meet” as when the front of the front carriages pass each other. At that point the LA one will have the entirety of the train behind it, closer to LA. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563/80 "2012-02-04T02:50:05Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > Let’s stop being stubborn, people. **There is no dirt in a hole**. It is empty. And furthermore, who said the hole is in the ground? Maybe it’s in a snowbank. > Here, look at it this way: I have a 10 oz. glass that I fill with water. How much water is in the glass? 10 oz. right? Right! Now I dump the water down the sink. How much water is in the glass now? Nothing! > Class dismissed. 😛 nope the glass would still be wet, so there will still be a trivial amount of water left in it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deceptively-easy-math-word-problems-for-high-school-kids/611563.md?page=5)