in Singapore primary school math, the notorious wordy problems have a negative effect, if not an overall negative aspect in the Singapore education system.

It has a negative effect on my wife and me. If we are in the U.S. the math training may be too simple but no such unnecessary anxiety.

For years I try to be rational about these wordy problems but I find myself trapped, unable to escape.

Since c++US days, I have told myself to avoid this topic.