List the possible outcomes?!

**Rik** · 31 March 2012, 07:57 PM

My eldest son is a Maths teacher at a secondary school. He teaches all age groups and this little incident was from one of his 11 year old students.

Throughout the year, various set project works are done.
Some time ago, the students were given this piece of work which asked, "If you flipped two coins, list the possible outcomes?"

They all worked out the answer:
Heads + Heads
Heads + Tails
Tails + Tails.

This little exercise was to prepare them for a particular question that was going to be coming at the end of year exams. OK?

The exam came and the question was, "If a mother gives birth to twins, list the possible outcomes?"

One student answered, "The mother could take both babies home. Take just one baby home. Or take none of the babies home."

Unfortunately, no marks could be given for this extremely accurate answer!

**Soquili** · 31 March 2012, 08:24 PM

Although it was not the anticipated answer, couldn't there have been some special consideration?

**angelize** · 31 March 2012, 08:32 PM

I bet that kid had at least one younger sibling!

**pauland** · 31 March 2012, 09:34 PM

Good post Rik!

**gwpriester** · 31 March 2012, 10:05 PM

If she was not all there, she might have taken someone else's baby home.

**pauland** · 31 March 2012, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by Soquili

Although it was not the anticipated answer, couldn't there have been some special consideration?

I agree. Under the circumstances the question was not precise enough and the answer to the question was quite correct. My teacher wife agrees!

**pauland** · 31 March 2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by gwpriester

If she was not all there

Gary, your language intrigues me. I thought the phrase "(s)he was not all there" was a british idiom - it's suprising (to me) to find an American using it. Is it usual in the US?

**gwpriester** · 31 March 2012, 10:54 PM

I don't think it is uncommon, but not as common as nuts, or Looney Tunes. On the other hand "mad" is hardly ever used except to mean angry.

Not playing with a full deck, doesn't have both oars in the water, there are a few lights missing from the marquee, could substitute.

Sorry Rik. I have hijacked your thread.

My cousin, who is schizophrenic, before his onset of schizophrenia, used to respond to questions, "One or the other, both, or neither." Reminds me of the coin toss options.