Yeah, that must be it.
They are asking the wrong question and are giving answers to it.
And " someone not from their special little clique" is not changing the question and is exposing the question for what it was.
Yes. That's it. You have an amazing abilities to read simple English. You nailed it.
The question is not what it seems. Its a trick. A deliberately vague wording with one purpose only - math geeks to try and play smart over other people.
But you exposed them. Bravo.
What was the question again?