Children's Addition And Subtraction Maths Task Is Baffling Adults Online (But It's Really Quite Simple)

A children's maths task which uses pieces of fruit to add and subtract seems to be baffling parents and adults online.

Mum Thighler Perry tweeted a picture of the brainteaser saying it was "driving Facebook crazy".

The task is to work out the missing value on the fourth sum, by finding the values of an apple, banana and coconut.

But if you break it down, it's really not that hard.

Perry's post of the brainteaser was retweeted more than 700 times.

The many people replying had very different answers. Here's an example of the confusion.

Where does the problem lie? People not paying attention to how many pieces of fruit there are in the questions.

If you look closely, the bunch of bananas in the last line has one less banana than the previous two lines.

The coconut in the final line is half the amount of the previous line.

And that's it. That's where the confusion is coming from.

Here's how we worked it out.

It starts off quite simple, with three apples giving the total value of 30. People seem to agree that one apple therefore equals 10.

The next sum is quite easily solved, too. One apple (10) plus two bunches of bananas equals 18. So each bunch of four bananas comes to the value of four, and one banana is worth one.

The next sum shows than a bunch of bananas minus a coconut equals two. So the coconut must be worth two.

Half a coconut plus an apple, plus three bananas therefore should equal 14.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below.

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Parents Cliffs' Notes: The Best Homework Helpers For Kids

Create a good homework space(01 of09)

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The Internet can help!(02 of09)

To parents, the Internet seems like a huge, overwhelming mess of distractions, inappropriate content and, well, trouble for children. But when it comes to learning, there are so many great resources out there for kids that will help them get ahead at school while keeping them entertained and engaged. Sites like National Geographic Kids offer information that is fun and reliable. (credit:Getty Images)

Set a standard time(03 of09)

Kids thrive with routine, so make homework time a part of their everyday schedule by setting aside a certain timeframe each weekday for them to complete homework. Find a time that works for your family, such as after school but before dinner. If they don’t have any homework, don’t let them slack completely. Use this time productively -- ask them to get ahead on their reading list or play a learning-oriented game together. (credit:Getty Images)

Go over things together(04 of09)

If your child is feeling overwhelmed with homework, go over their assignments with them and help them prioritize and organize their assignments. Creating a to-do list for them might even be helpful. (credit:Getty Images)

But don’t be too available(05 of09)

Parenting Magazine suggests that as your child grows older, you spend less and less time with them on their homework. This teaches them to work through their own problems before they seek help. (credit:Getty Images)

When you do help them, lead by example(06 of09)

When your child has trouble finding a solution to a homework problem, resist the temptation to blurt out the answer. Instead, WebMD suggests you show your child the way to find the answer for him or herself using resources and information available. It’s just like that old “teach a man to fish” analogy -- you’re teaching your kids to be self-sufficient learners, and they’ll take that lesson with them throughout life. (credit:Getty Images)

Make it fun whenever possible(07 of09)

For most kids, sitting at a desk alone learning long-division sounds about as fun as letting their little sister yank on their hair while helping grandma clip her toenails. Try to find ways to make homework assignments more exciting, such as hosting a study group with your child’s friends, or making math problems into a game with food or toys. (credit:Getty Images)

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Get to know what’s going on in your child’s school schedule -- ask them when the next test is, for instance -- and follow-up on things. Give them praise and encouragement when they need it, and help them understand what went wrong when they do poorly. Kids are much more likely to keep up with their schoolwork when they know you’re involved with their progress. (credit:Getty Images)

Ask for help if you need it(09 of09)

If your child isn’t doing well in school, don’t be afraid to ask teachers, other parents or even professionals for help. Maybe the solution is simple, such as needing new reading glasses, or maybe it’s something more complex. Don’t be afraid to reach out. (credit:Getty Images)

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