Recent research undertaken at the Queensland University of Technology has investigated the wording and images used to depict mathematical problems posed in textbooks for students in the early years. Some of the wording called for literacy skills in advance of those required by Queensland's English syllabus for this age group. Some accompanying pictures also contained unhelpful ambiguities. The study drew on Michael Halliday’s work on functional grammar and other research to consider appropriate design principles for maths problems in the early years.