Adults across the UK are scratching their heads over a Year 11 GCSE maths question that has recently gone viral on social media. The question, posted by PLS Tutors on TikTok, has left many stumped and confused. The puzzling question reads: “The bearing of A from B is 098°. Find the bearing of B from A.”
For those unfamiliar with the term, a reciprocal bearing, also known as a back bearing, is a navigation concept that describes the direction that is exactly opposite to a given bearing. In simple terms, if you know the bearing from one point to another, the reciprocal bearing is the angle that points directly back to the starting point.
The tutor in the video explained that this particular question is considered one of the strangest questions on a GCSE maths paper and is crucial for achieving high grades. By drawing out angles and connecting them, the answer to the question was revealed to be 278°.
Many viewers flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts on the challenging question. Some admitted to feeling baffled even after watching the breakdown, while others expressed gratitude for the clarity provided by the tutorial. One viewer joked about the relevance of such questions in real life, contrasting it with everyday knowledge like mortgage rates.
The video not only sparked debate among adults trying to solve the maths question but also reignited memories of struggles with mathematics during school years. The overall response to the video was mixed, with some finding it easy to understand and others wishing they had been taught the concepts in a similar way years ago.
Despite the initial confusion, the tutorial provided a valuable learning opportunity for those looking to brush up on their maths skills. So, how did you fare with this Year 11 GCSE maths question? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.