Baffling GCSE maths exam question that is so hard 92% of parents can't solve it

14 June 2023 , 15:49

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Maths GCSE and A Level exams can be seriously tricky (Stock Image) (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

For some adults, seeing numbers is enough to make them break out into a cold sweat, fuelled by bad memories of trying (and failing) to concentrate in maths class.

Therefore, the thought of having to answer a GCSE maths question may leave you scratching your head, trying to delve back years and years ago when you last studied Algebra.

As GCSEs and A Levels get underway, many parents will be trying to help their kids with revision, but a recent study has shown that many parents aren't equipped to answer the questions their teens are trying to tackle.

The study provided parents with a GCSE maths question, and a whopping 92% of parents stated they didn't know the answer, with only 8% even attempting it.

Exam periods are tough for teens (Stock Image) (Getty Images)

GCSE and A Level questions are arguably harder than ever, so could you work out the above question without the answer, or would you simply crumble under the pressure?

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The questions asks people to 'show that (x + 1) (x + 2) (x + 3) can be written in the form ax3 + bx2 + d are positive integers, and Save My Exams have tried to simplify it by taking the question step by step.

Maths Lead Lucy Kirkham admitted that "seeing questions with loads of Algebra can be scary", but reassured people about to sit exams that if you break them down "into smaller chunks", it'll help you "work through them more easily."

The question is seriously difficult (Save My Exams)

She said: "Our maths experts at Save My Exams create colour-coded model answers which break down each question into easier steps to carefully guide users to the correct answer.

"This question gives you the answer you're working towards, which can sometimes be off-putting as you wonder 'How am I ever going to get there?' but don't let it worry you, just try to start with the first step and you'll surprise yourself with how far you can get!

"Even if you don’t get all the way through, marks are awarded for different stages of your working so you can always try to pick up some marks and use our model answers to see how you'd pick up the rest."

Did you manage to work it out or understand it at all? Let us know in the comments.

Danielle Kate Wroe