A lot of people are having trouble with this math problem that requires some basic algebra

[Android3.14]

113. As a former high school math teacher teacher educator, you're half right

We do rely on calculators way too much. We should limit their use until a student has mastered algebra 1, pre-algebra at the earliest, and then introduce calculators in order to avoid stupidity like this OP illustrates.

As far as rote memorization in math, this is untrue, and has been for 40 years at least. I taught Mathematics for Elementary School teachers for several years at the local college until about five years ago, and I've given a basic arithmetic test at the beginning of each semester. Typically 60-80 percent of students are incapable of multiplying single digit factors with any consistency. Many are incapable of adding single digit numerals without counting on their hands.

Manipulating fractions or performing division (long or otherwise) has a failure rate of about 95 percent.

These are adults.

There is far too little rote memorization in mathematics these days.