Check math homework in the school drop-off line with ChatGPT

FailureEvidence: Described by posterPosted Mar 9, 2026Last checked Nov 1, 2026

ChatGPT said 4 of 8 math answers were wrong, but every answer was correct; ChatGPT had made the error.

Source checked Nov 1, 2026
Results shared
Limitations noted

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Prompt

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Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about the details below and wait for my answers. Once I've answered, confirm the plan in one line and run the whole task start to finish.

Goal: Check my child's math homework and show the working for every problem, so we can trust the result.

Questions to ask me first:
- What grade and topic is the homework?
- Should I upload a photo or type the problems?
- Do you want just right or wrong, or hints for the wrong ones?

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- Homework: [UPLOAD PHOTO OR TYPE PROBLEMS]
- Grade and topic: [GRADE / TOPIC]
- My child's answers: [ANSWERS]

Rules:
- First, copy each problem and answer back exactly as you read it, so I can spot misreadings.
- Solve each problem yourself and show every step before saying whether the answer is right.
- Only mark an answer wrong if you can point to the exact step where it goes wrong.
- If you're unsure about a problem, say so instead of guessing.
- For wrong answers, give a hint, not the answer.

Checkpoint: After copying the problems back, stop and let me confirm you read them correctly.

If you get stuck: If the photo is unclear, ask me to type the problem instead of guessing.

Verify before you finish: Re-solve any problem you mark wrong a second way before reporting it.

Output: A table: problem, child's answer, your working, right or wrong, and a hint where needed.

Done when: Every 'wrong' answer has a clear step showing the mistake, and we've checked at least one by hand.

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Homework

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Grade and topic

My child's answers

Your prompt

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about the details below and wait for my answers. Once I've answered, confirm the plan in one line and run the whole task start to finish.

Goal: Check my child's math homework and show the working for every problem, so we can trust the result.

Questions to ask me first:
- What grade and topic is the homework?
- Should I upload a photo or type the problems?
- Do you want just right or wrong, or hints for the wrong ones?

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- Homework: [UPLOAD PHOTO OR TYPE PROBLEMS]
- Grade and topic: [GRADE / TOPIC]
- My child's answers: [ANSWERS]

Rules:
- First, copy each problem and answer back exactly as you read it, so I can spot misreadings.
- Solve each problem yourself and show every step before saying whether the answer is right.
- Only mark an answer wrong if you can point to the exact step where it goes wrong.
- If you're unsure about a problem, say so instead of guessing.
- For wrong answers, give a hint, not the answer.

Checkpoint: After copying the problems back, stop and let me confirm you read them correctly.

If you get stuck: If the photo is unclear, ask me to type the problem instead of guessing.

Verify before you finish: Re-solve any problem you mark wrong a second way before reporting it.

Output: A table: problem, child's answer, your working, right or wrong, and a hint where needed.

Done when: Every 'wrong' answer has a clear step showing the mistake, and we've checked at least one by hand.

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ChatGPT Used in source Gemini Grok Claude

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The prompt they actually used (our rebuild)

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

Can you check this math homework and tell me which answers are wrong?

AI tool

ChatGPT

Outcome

In the school drop-off line, Heather Hansson's 11-year-old asked for a quick check of some math homework. With about two minutes to spare, Hansson asked ChatGPT to check it. ChatGPT said 4 out of 8 answers were wrong, and the child, who carefully checks every answer, started to panic. Something didn't feel right, so they picked one problem and asked ChatGPT to show where the mistake was. There wasn't one: ChatGPT had made the error. They checked another, and another. In the end, every answer the child had given was correct.

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

Known limitations

FailureThe source says the AI did not get the job done.

What went wrong: ChatGPT marked 4 of 8 correct answers wrong and couldn't show any mistake when asked; all 8 answers were right.

Source

Posted: Mar 9, 2026 by Heather Hansson (LinkedIn)
Last checked: Nov 1, 2026
Method:: How we verify

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/heatherannehansson_mom-can-you-check-my-math-homework-my-activity-7436757686962069504-jfkv

Context: Hansson's lesson: AI is 'a tool, not an authority.' Ask it to show the mistake before trusting a 'wrong' mark.