Mathematics can be challenging for learners everywhere and some problems push thinking even further.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve gathered five of the trickiest mathematics questions<\/strong> from around the world to test your reasoning skills and spark engaging classroom discussion.<\/p>\n Solutions are included at the end (but try not to peek!). And if you\u2019re ready for an extra challenge, there\u2019s a bonus question waiting for you too.<\/p>\n Ready? Here are the questions…<\/p>\n Country of origin: <\/strong>England<\/p>\n This problem first gained attention when it appeared in a primary school assessment for learners aged 6\u20137. It quickly went viral because even many adults found themselves double-checking their reasoning.<\/p>\n There were some people on a train.<\/p>\n 19 people get off the train at the first stop.<\/p>\n 17 people get on the train.<\/p>\n Now there are 63 people on the train.<\/p>\n How many people were on the train to begin with?<\/strong><\/p>\n Country of origin: <\/strong>Singapore<\/p>\n Logic-based problems frequently appear in mathematics competitions, but this particular question from the 2015 Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (designed for students aged 14\u201315)\u00a0<\/span>captured worldwide attention for its unexpected complexity.<\/p>\n Albert and Bernard have just become friends with Cheryl, and they want to know when her birthday is.<\/p>\n Cheryl gives them a list of 10 possible dates:<\/p>\n Cheryl then tells Albert the month, and Bernard the day of her birthday.<\/p>\n Albert: \u201cI don\u2019t know when Cheryl\u2019s birthday is, but I know that Bernard doesn\u2019t know either.\u201d So, when is Cheryl\u2019s birthday?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> Country of origin: <\/strong>Vietnam<\/p>\n This puzzle is both challenging and time-consuming\u00a0<\/span>and surprisingly, it was designed for Year 3 learners (around age 8) in Vietnam, according to VNExpress.<\/p>\n Use the digits 1 to 9, each exactly once, to fill in the boxes so that the entire expression equals 66.<\/strong><\/p>\n Read the expression strictly from left to right as you solve it.<\/p>\n Note: In this puzzle, the boxes containing a colon (:) represent division.<\/p>\n Country of origin:<\/strong> Hong Kong<\/p>\n This puzzle circulated for years but gained renewed attention when it appeared on an entrance assessment for young learners in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n Students around six years old were expected to solve it in under 20 seconds.<\/p>\n What number is the car parked on?<\/strong><\/p>\n Country of origin: <\/strong>China<\/p>\n This geometry problem was reportedly used in China to identify high-achieving Year 5\/fifth-grade learners (around ages 10\u201311). Many students were able to solve it in under a minute, making it a favourite example of visual reasoning and spatial problem-solving<\/p>\n ABCD is a parallelogram. In the diagram, the areas of the yellow regions are 8, 10, 72, and 79.<\/p>\n Find the area of the red triangle.<\/strong><\/p>\n Note: The diagram is not drawn to scale.<\/p>\n Country of origin: <\/strong>Singapore<\/p>\n This two-part problem gained attention in 2021 when it appeared in Singapore\u2019s Primary School Leaving Examination. Designed for 12-year-old learners, it required students to apply both numerical reasoning and knowledge of mass.<\/p>\n Helen and Ivan each had the same number of coins.<\/p>\n (a) Who has more money in coins, and by how much?<\/strong><\/p>\n (b) Given that each 50-cent coin is 2.7 g heavier than a 20-cent coin, what is the total mass of Ivan\u2019s coins in kilograms?<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of these problems require real persistence and flexible thinking \u2013 so if you found yourself pausing along the way, you\u2019re in good company.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re an educator looking to build students\u2019 confidence with problem-solving and mathematical reasoning, consider using a high-quality mathematics resource that supports logical thinking, strategic approaches, and deeper understanding.<\/p>\n Mathletics offers more than 700 problem-solving and reasoning questions<\/strong><\/a> designed to strengthen mathematical thinking and challenge learners at every level.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>1. People on a Train<\/h3>\n
The question:<\/h2>\n
2. You\u2019ll Never Forget Cheryl\u2019s Birthday<\/h3>\n
The question:<\/h2>\n
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\nBernard: \u201cAt first I didn\u2019t know when Cheryl\u2019s birthday was, but now I know.\u201d
\nAlbert: \u201cThen I know it too.\u201d<\/p>\n3. Taming the Snake<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets-homepages.3plearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/Tricky-Maths-Questions-Snake-Puzzle.png\")
<\/h2>\nThe puzzle:<\/h2>\n
4. Remember Where You Parked Your Car<\/h3>\n
The question:<\/h2>\n
![\"Tricky](\"https:\/\/assets-homepages.3plearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/Tricky-Maths-Questions-where-is-the-car-parked-e1659507938689.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. The Red Triangle<\/h3>\n
The question:<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets-homepages.3plearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/Tricky-Maths-Questions-Around-The-World-Red-Triangle.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>Bonus challenge: Helen and Ivan\u2019s Coins<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The questions:<\/h2>\n
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Did you solve these tricky mathematics questions?<\/h3>\n