Angela’s Bracelet Math Word Problem: Unit Conversion Challenge That Stumps ChatGPT

A Simple Math Word Problem That Trips Up AI

I know it’s not the weekend yet, but I wanted to test something. It turns out ChatGPT is surprisingly bad at solving math word problems. So, what do you think — what’s the answer?

The Daily Math Challenge: Angela’s Bracelet Problem

Angela uses 7 1/2 inches of each of 6 different colors of embroidery floss to make one bracelet. One skein of embroidery floss contains 26 feet. How many bracelets can Angela make if she has one skein of each color?

(There are 12 inches in one foot — don’t ask why.)

How to Solve This Math Word Problem Step by Step

The key here is unit conversion. Angela uses 7.5 inches per color, and there are 6 colors, but each color comes from its own skein — so you only need to figure out how many bracelets a single skein of one color can supply.

Each skein contains 26 feet × 12 inches = 312 inches.

Each bracelet uses 7.5 inches of that color.

312 ÷ 7.5 = 41.6 → rounded down, that’s 41 bracelets.

The Answer

Answer: 41 bracelets.

Since she has one skein of every color and uses the same amount of each, all six skeins run out at the same rate. The limiting factor is 41 complete bracelets before any skein runs out.

A classic example of why reading math word problems carefully — and handling unit conversions correctly — makes all the difference. Even for AI.