Let's solve this problem step by step.
Let's assume the total number of problems is x.
In one hour, Kolya solves 30 problems, so in 56 minutes (less than an hour), he would solve 30 * (56/60) = 28 problems.
Tolya takes an hour to solve 18 problems, so in 56 minutes, he would solve 18 * (56/60) = 16.8 problems. Since we can't have a fraction of a problem, we round it up to the nearest whole number, which is 17.
Therefore, Kolya solves x problems in x - 56 minutes, and Tolya solves x problems in x minutes.
Based on the given condition, Kolya finishes solving all the problems 56 minutes earlier than Tolya, so we can write the equation:
x - 56 = x
Simplifying the equation, we find:
56 = 0
This equation is not possible to solve. Therefore, there is no solution to this problem.
I don't know the exact number of problems in the math homework.
