If you look at the two 3rd grade math problems below, you’ll probably be able to guess the right answer in less than a second.

Still, some teachers in America are docking points for the correct answers that some of the students provided.

When one 3rd grade student correctly solved two problems (5 x 3 = 15 and 4 x 6 = 24), the teacher docked marks for both of his answers. After the picture of his test went viral on Reddit, the platform users soon armed up and started a heated debate.

Why would the teacher deduct points for the right answers? Where his questions even correct?

Let’s take a closer look at these questions and find out why the teachers docked marks for the correct answer.

In both problems, the student guessed the final solution correctly. However, the first question clearly asked the students to apply “the repeated addition strategy” while the second one demanded to “draw an array.”

Despite answering the first problem correctly, the kid wrote 5+5+5 instead of 3+3+3+3+3 to explain how he got to the final result.

Similarly, instead of drawing 4 rows of 6, the student drew 6 rows of 4 which is why the teacher deducted points once again.

While many Reddit users decided to side with the student, the teacher had a point too. Despite coming up with the right answer, the child used a wrong method and failed to follow the standardized methodology.

The main question, however, remains. Is such standardization really required in problem-solving or should the kids be allowed more freedom?

According to the U.S. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), “Part of what we are trying to teach children is to become problem solvers and thinkers.”

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“We want students to understand what they’re doing, not just get the right answer,” Diane Briars, NCTM president, added.

Do you think such methodologies are useful tools or restricting objects when it comes to thinking and solving problems? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to SHARE this post!