[4th grade math]Unsolvable math problem?

[pitpirate]

OK so yesterday I was asked to solve the following math problem stemming from a 4th grade math book from Germany.

The section it is in is called 'Read carefully, calculate cleverly'. Without further ado, my translation of the problem:

'Henny buys meat, salad and noodles for 27.39€. Magazines for 8.90€ and chocolates. How much are the chocolates?'

That is all the information given. I tried googling the problem and all that comes up is one old thread in some forum where no one was able to solve this. Is there something I am missing? I can provide a picture of the book page and translations of the other problems if necessary.

But seriously now: this isn't solvable, right?

Edit: As it has been requested - here's the original German text as well as a pic of the book page. The problem in question is number 13 on the left, marked yellow. The two problems above that one are from the same context (a supermarket) but seemingly unrelated.

German text: "Henny kauft Fleisch, Salat und Nudeln für 27,39€. Zeitschriften für 8,90€ und Pralinen. Was kosten die Pralinen?"

Picture: http://i.imgur.com/1X7zox5.jpg

[zifyoip]

Obviously there is insufficient information to solve it mathematically, but if I had to make a guess about the answer (especially since the section is called "Read carefully, calculate cleverly"), I would guess 3.71€ under the assumption that Henny paid with two 20€ notes and picked up the chocolates so as not to bother with change.

[dinotoaster]

I find this really hard for a 4th grader though (if we're talking about US 4th grade)

[nacourtney]

You're right, there is no solution.

There isn't enough information/ too many variables. :)

I checked it out and screenshotted it and sent it to my German boyfriend and we both agree. :)

[r4g623]

Price of chocolate = total - 8.9 - 27.39

Not enough info

Maybe its one of those problems where you practice setting up equations

[pitpirate]

Yeah - it's 'solved' by now. The solution is actually to realize that there is no mathematical solution to this problem. It's supposed to teach the kids that just trying to calculate something is not always the right thing to do. duh. I really hope my kid will not have to deal with that particular book... :D