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Grade 2 puzzle 7: Beware of double counting

A free grade 2 math puzzle that teaches Beware of double counting. Try it first — the hint and the full solution open when you are ready.

Problem 7 · Beware of double counting · 5 points

Made by AI and not reviewed by a real person.

In a line of children, Tom is 5th from the front and 4th from the back. How many children are in the line?

Illustration for problem 7
  1. 7
  2. 8
  3. 9
  4. 6
  5. 10
Show a hint
  • Draw the line. Careful: is Tom counted from the front AND from the back?
Show the answer and solution

Answer: B — 8

4 children stand before Tom and 3 after him, so 4 + 1 + 3 = 8. The tempting answer 5 + 4 = 9 counts Tom twice — once in each direction. Spotting where a count overlaps is a skill you will use in much harder problems.

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