The answer is 42, the dispatcher said.
All 911 calls are taken seriously – even when a 10-year-old boy is having trouble finishing his math assignment.
The Fort Collins Police Services in Colorado released the 911 audio Tuesday of an unexpected call in April from a young boy looking for help with his homework.
"Hi, this isn't an emergency,” the boy began. “I’m working on my math homework right now and I can’t figure out what 71 divided by 3,052 is.”
Without hesitating, police dispatcher Chris Clow dove into action, responding: “I can try to help you. I don’t know how to do that off the top of my head either at the moment. One second.”
After asking a couple more questions, Clow realized the boy meant 3,052 divided by 71 and guided him to the right answer.
“Just doing it on the calculator, it’s 42.98,” the dispatcher responded. “Which you would round up to 43.”
The boy politely thanked Clow before hanging up.
“From an early age, kids are taught to call police if they need help,” the Fort Collins Police Services said in a statement. “This particular problem wasn't the kind we typically handle, but we're glad dispatch was able to help solve it.”
Authorities also took the time to add that 911 is for emergencies only and anyone looking for help otherwise can call non-emergency lines or reach out to a school resource officer.
“Though it should be noted that FCPD is not responsible for incorrect homework answers,” the department added.
RELATED STORIES
