This Math Question From A Hong Kong Elementary School Test Has Adults Stumped

Business Insider ^ | 06/06/2014 | JULIE ZEVELOFF

[SeekAndFind]

This math question from an admissions test for an elementary school in Hong Kong is going viral in China.

According to ChinaSmack, it was the second-most-popular post on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo on June 5, when it was published.

The question was part of an admissions test for first-graders. They had 20 seconds to answer. Can you solve it?

via ChinaSmack

Stumped? Scroll down for the answer.

[bubbacluck]

If the kids don’t pass this test do they hold them back in kindergarten?

[Uncle Chip]

L8

[Hot Tabasco]

Well it looks like almost every poster in this thread are eligible to enroll in Hongkong’s First Grade :)

Except me, I fully expected that car to be stolen.........

[Cboldt]

Yeah, multiple choice would make it a snap. It is a tricky presentation, and I think most people would try “the hard way” for quite awhile before stepping out of the box. Kids are pretty good at stepping out of the box right away.

[grania]

Maybe the deficient kindergarteners have remedial upside down number reading over the summer.

[Steve_Seattle]

But is 87 the only possible answer to link those numbers together?

[MMaschin]

Unfortunately for me, I did immediately see a pattern, and I came up with 128. I thought it was a little advanced for first graders.
16-6 =10
68-88=-20

So logically the pattern would indicate the difference between the next two numbers should be +30. So ergo, 128.

128-98=30

[eyedigress]

C

[dfwgator]

Unfortunately for me, I did immediately see a pattern, and I came up with 128.

I did the same thing.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

i FIGURED IT OUT. tOOK ME MORE THAN 20 SECONDS THUGH.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

i FIGURED IT OUT. tOOK ME MORE THAN 20 SECONDS THUGH.

[ifinnegan]

Clever.

I’m sure it’s a hoax or urban legend sort of thing in China, though.

Not any real test to enter school.

[SkyDancer]

Nope. That number equals one.

[The Cajun]

Don’t sweat it... you don’t want to go back to first grade do you? :)

A little test like this is good for one's humility, LOL!

[eyedigress]

or 68 (98-68)

[gorush]

There are only 10 types of people in this world...those who know binary and those who don’t.

[Fai Mao]

In Hong Kong kids have to be able to at least write their name to get into Kindergarten many times.

[SkyDancer]

I’m decimated.

[Cboldt]

-- But is 87 the only possible answer to link those numbers together? --

Yes, unless some parking lot doesn't use a sort of sequential ID for its spaces. Once could probably concoct a rule to fill in the blank for "16 06 68 88 ?? 98", but I haven't yet figured an "elegant" rule, not even using alphabetical order.

[gorush]

At least you are rational.