Internet puzzled: Japanese engineers can’t solve Junior High school math equation

By on May 3, 2017

Kobe University and Doshisha University research group  found out many engineers at major companies can not solve a fundamental mathematical equation used for  junior high school entrance examination tests in Japan.

In the 1980’s, the percentage of people that got the answer correctly was 90%.  Today, less than 60 percent  of people can answer the equation correctly.  The decline in basic academic skills is a blow to major companies that employ engineers.

In 2000, Japan was  top in the PISA worldwide ranking for Mathematics, then fell to no. 6 in 2003, and further dropped  to no. 10 in 2006.  After suffering an achievement crisis, Japan climbed to the 5th ranking in 2015,  2 places up from  7th best in 2012.

Do you know the answer?

A Mathematics teacher gives the correct answer in the clip below.

 

 

About Ted Tanaka