A new report by the CUNY Council of Math Chairs shows math is a big problem for college freshman in New York City.

According to the report, basic algebra is the issue.

The report tested 200 freshmen and found 90 percent couldn't solve a simple algebra problem. Only a third could convert a fraction into a decimal.

The report's co-author, City College Prof. Stanley Ocken, was taken aback by the findings.

"These results are shocking," Ocken told New York Daily News. "They show that a disturbing proportion of New York City high school graduates lack basic skills."

But City Education Department spokesman David Cantor insisted his agency had already been working to resolve the problem prior to the report.

"We had already moved to action," he said.

Almost 70 percent of city university students come from New York City schools.