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‘When Is Cheryl’s Birthday?’: Meet The Math Problem That’s Stumping The World

Kaitlan Collins Contributor
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A question intended for math-savvy high school students in Singapore is stumping the world: when is Cheryl’s birthday?

Kenneth Kong — a television host in Singapore — shared a photo of the math problem that was originally part of the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiads contest on his Facebook.

He said he and his wife had been in debate over the answer, and the world has been in a tizzy over the date of Cheryl’s birthday since.

Cheryl's birthday math question posted on Facebook

(Photo: Facebook)

Here’s the question reworded with clearer language, courtesy of The New York Times.

Albert and Bernard just met Cheryl. “When’s your birthday?” Albert asked Cheryl. 

Cheryl thought a second and said, “I’m not going to tell you, but I’ll give you some clues.” She wrote down a list of 10 dates:

May 15 — May 16 — May 19

June 17 — June 18

July 14 — July 16

August 14 — August 15 — August 17

“My birthday is one of these,” she said.

Then Cheryl whispered in Albert’s ear the month — and only the month — of her birthday. To Bernard, she whispered the day, and only the day. 

“Can you figure it out now?” she asked Albert.

Albert: I don’t know when your birthday is, but I know Bernard doesn’t know, either.

Bernard: I didn’t know originally, but now I do.

Albert: Well, now I know, too!

When is Cheryl’s birthday?

You can see why the viral math question threw everyone for a loop.

Thankfully the question has been solved by more than a few people, and here’s the answer in video form.

Happy f—-ing birthday, Cheryl.

WATCH:

Tags : singapore
Kaitlan Collins