Imagine a question and stream-of-consciousness explanation for which this is the answer: 2
Question: Quinton brought 40 cupcakes to school on his birthday. He gave a cupcake to each of the 18 students in Ms. Delmont's class. He also gave a cupcake to each of the 16 students in Mrs. Donnelly's class. He also gave a cupcake to Ms. Delmont, Mrs. Donnelly, the school nurse, and the school principal. How many cupcakes did he have left over?
Stream-of-consciousness: Quinton had 40 cupcakes - 18 = 22 cupcakes. He then had 22 cupcakes - 16 students = 6 cupcakes. Quinton then gave away 6 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 2 cupcakes left.