Counting and math makes sense to add special tools for because it’s handy. I agree with your point that patching individual questions like this is dishonest. Although I would say it’s pointless too. The only value from asking this question is to be entertained, and “fixing” this question makes the answer less entertaining.
> The only value from asking this question is to be entertained, and “fixing” this question makes the answer less entertaining.
You're thinking like a user. The people doing the patching are thinking like a founder trying to maintain the impression that this is a magical technology that CEOs can use to replace all their workers.
You don't have as much money to spend as the CEOs, so they don't care about your entertainment.
From a technological standpoint, it is pointless. But from a marketing perspective, it is very important.
Take this trick question as an example. Gemini was the first to “fix” the issue, and the top comment on Hacker News is praising how Gemini’s “reasoning” is better.