When Malicious Compliance Meets Math: The Geometry Student Who Chose 67 Every Time
When you’re a high school math teacher, you expect some creative answers on tests—but sometimes, the real creativity comes from the teachers themselves. Take the story of u/Ajrob88, who inherited a Geometry class mid-year and found himself at the center of a showdown between one cheeky student, an enabling parent, and an administration that just wanted the problem to go away. The saga, recently shared on Reddit’s r/MaliciousCompliance, is a masterclass in giving exactly what’s asked for—and nothing more.
It starts, as so many great tales do, with a student who thought he’d outsmart the system. Instead, he got a life lesson (and a failing grade) he’ll never forget.
The Setup: 67 Ways to Not Pass Geometry
Our story’s protagonist, a math teacher new to this particular class, crafted a geometry test with 25 questions—none of them multiple choice. One student, perhaps inspired by TikTok trends or mere adolescent whimsy, decided to answer every question he didn’t know with “67.” The result? A 17%—and a private conference with the teacher.
As u/Ajrob88 explained, the student found his performance hilarious. The teacher, displaying the patience of a saint, offered him the chance to earn back half-credit by correcting his mistakes after school. The student declined. When the teacher called home, Mom’s response was not concern, but indignation: The test should have been multiple choice in the first place! According to her, not offering multiple choice was “inviting students” to write silly answers like 67.
If you think that’s where the story ends, you haven’t met modern school administration: the admin caved to Mom’s demands, instructing the teacher to provide a multiple-choice retake.
Malicious Compliance: When Life Hands You 67s...
Here’s where things get deliciously devious. The teacher made a new test, each question featuring four answer choices—one of which was always 67. If the student’s goal was to pick 67 every time, well, the opportunity was right there.
The student did exactly that, showing no work and sticking to his bit. His score? 30%. “He has the capability and math knowledge to do well,” the teacher later clarified in a comment, “but towards the end of the semester he just stopped caring.” The improvement from 17% to 30% wasn’t enough to pass, and the pattern made the student’s intent crystal clear—not just to the teacher, but to the administration and the student’s mother as well.
Commenters were quick to spot the pedagogical brilliance: “One commenter noted, ‘Providing 67 as a choice on each question proves that he’s not taking it seriously. It was smart. Any other choice could be a random guess or laziness. But that proves intent’” (u/On_my_last_spoon). Another, u/1Bookworm, observed that by including 67 as a decoy, the teacher actually improved the student’s odds of guessing correctly—if only he’d tried. Instead of a 25% chance per question, ignoring 67 would have left him with a 33% chance. Too bad “brainrot was too strong in that family,” as u/butter_cookie_gurl quipped.
Lessons in Accountability (and Administrative Headaches)
If you’re wondering how the administration responded to this masterstroke of malicious compliance, here’s the punchline: Mom demanded that any 67 answers be thrown out and not counted. Admin finally drew a line, replying that the student had his chance, and the 30% would stand.
The student failed the class—but perhaps learned something more valuable than the Pythagorean theorem. As the teacher shared, the student emailed an apology before winter break, asking (with a straight face) for his 30% test score to be changed to a 70%, and his final grade rounded up to a passing 60%. “You did catch that in the end, he 67’d you again, right?” joked u/Cruxwright.
The community’s reactions were a mix of amusement and exasperation. Many, like u/throwaway47138, underscored the importance of learning that “failure is an option”—a lesson the student’s mother seemed determined to block at every turn. Others, including teachers themselves, lamented the erosion of authority when admins side with demanding parents. “It’s unfortunate that admin caves to students who don’t do what an assignment asks. It undermines teacher’s authority,” said u/chipariffic, echoing a sentiment shared by educators everywhere.
Real-World Math: Beyond the Classroom
Amid the laughs, the thread also sparked a thoughtful conversation about the value of math—and of facing consequences. As u/drunksquatch pointed out, even for students headed into trades, geometry is everywhere: carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC. “You don’t have to learn everything to get a decent job, but you will have to learn a lot to continue, and a huge amount to do anything more.”
For the teacher, the real lesson wasn’t about theorems or triangle proofs. “My philosophy is simple,” he wrote. “1. Regularly attend class. 2. Have a good attitude. 3. Try your best. You do those three things and you will pass.” It’s a reminder that school is as much about learning how to show up and put in effort as it is about memorizing facts.
In the end, the student’s story is a perfect microcosm of modern education: creative teachers, helicopter parents, exasperated admins, and kids who sometimes need to fail to really learn. As one commenter quoted from Terry Pratchett, “IT’S EDUCATIONAL. What if she cuts herself? THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON.”
Conclusion: Sometimes the Only Way Out Is Through
So what’s the takeaway? Sometimes, the best way to teach a lesson is to let consequences play out. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or parent, there’s value in owning your choices—even if it means picking 67 every single time.
What do you think—should teachers be forced to accommodate every parental demand? Have you witnessed your own moments of malicious compliance (or educational genius) in the classroom? Share your thoughts below!
And remember: in the real world, you rarely get multiple choice. Sometimes, you just have to show your work.
Original Reddit Post: Admin says “Just Give Him a Multiple Choice Retake”