2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[JohnYeo]

ngl2010:

JohnYeo:

[quote=\"ngl2010\"]For Math's Pattern problem, is it ok to count manually instead of using formula? This is assuming that the numbers are still reasonable.

what do u mean by reasonable?
Normally the first part still is n the second part is not.

For example is this question. It is faster to construct a table and write down the number of dots required for Figure 5, 6, 7, and so on rather than to find a formula to calculate which figure will need 108 dots to build. Do you think it is ok to construct a table instead of using a formula to calculate?
http://i40.tinypic.com/4iij4p.jpg\">[/quote]
hmmm...I feel even if we use a table, still need to have a feel what the pattern / formula is in order to solve it. So table is just a way to present or is part of the process of formulating the formula...

[zeemimi]

Jennifer:

zeemimi:

[quote=\"Jennifer\"]Almost forgot to ask: would this type of qn appear in PSLE Maths paper?

There are some red and blue marbles.
The marbles were packed into 2 containers.
At first, Container A contained 500 marbles and 2/5 of them were blue marbles. Container B contained 300 marbles and 1/5 of them were blue.

Find the total number of red and blue marbles that must be moved from Container A to Container B such that 3/5 of the marbles in Container A are red and 1/4 of the marbles in Container B are blue.

A:
Blue-200 (200/800 = 10/40)
Red-300 (300/800 = 15/40)

B:
Blue-60 (60/800 = 3/40)
Red-240 (240/800 = 12/40)

10+15+3+12= 40 parts

In order to keep the ratio of AB (2): AR (3) , one possible way is to move 2 parts of blue and 3 parts of red. This will result in 5 parts of BB And 15 parts of BR. Hence BB (1) : BR (3)

800 ÷ 40 × 2 = 40
800 ÷ 40 × 3 = 60

:thankyou: [/quote]Sorry missed out the last question. This kind of question is possible in psle. Judging from the working, it is characteristic of 5 marks question.

As you can see, the working makes everything look simple. It is the thinking process that is difficult and this question is playing on the children's familiarity with 2 variables questions. But if you use 2 variables, it will complicate everything. My first try was using 2 variables - i gave up after a few steps. So was DS's first try.

The rule in math problem sums is, if after 4 or 5 steps, things get more complicated, abandon it, think simple and redo. It is not that difficult. Evidence: look at all the answer sheets. Hardly any problem sums require more than 6 or 7 steps to get the answer.

Hope this is helpful for those fearful of problem sums.

[zeemimi]

ngl2010:

For example is this question. It is faster to construct a table and write down the number of dots required for Figure 5, 6, 7, and so on rather than to find a formula to calculate which figure will need 108 dots to build. Do you think it is ok to construct a table instead of using a formula to calculate?

http://i40.tinypic.com/4iij4p.jpg\">

If the child is able to derive the formula, it will be great. But if cannot, constructing table will solve at least 2 out of the 3 questions. After constructing to figure 9, hopefully the formula becomes obvious by then to solve the 3rd question.

[JohnYeo]

zeemimi:

ngl2010:

For example is this question. It is faster to construct a table and write down the number of dots required for Figure 5, 6, 7, and so on rather than to find a formula to calculate which figure will need 108 dots to build. Do you think it is ok to construct a table instead of using a formula to calculate?

http://i40.tinypic.com/4iij4p.jpg\">

If the child is able to derive the formula, it will be great. But if cannot, constructing table will solve at least 2 out of the 3 questions. After constructing to figure 9, hopefully the formula becomes obvious by then to solve the 3rd question.

I think its also weighing the pros n cons...
constructing till figure 9 can be really time consuming, but if can get the answer, good la.
but at the same time, the time spent can be used to develop the formula...
so solving math questions involve a lot of thinking process, what if I do this, what will happen...if I do that, then what may happen. While working on more questions, guide your child on how to think too.

[ngl2010]

zeemimi:

ngl2010:

For example is this question. It is faster to construct a table and write down the number of dots required for Figure 5, 6, 7, and so on rather than to find a formula to calculate which figure will need 108 dots to build. Do you think it is ok to construct a table instead of using a formula to calculate?

http://i40.tinypic.com/4iij4p.jpg\">

If the child is able to derive the formula, it will be great. But if cannot, constructing table will solve at least 2 out of the 3 questions. After constructing to figure 9, hopefully the formula becomes obvious by then to solve the 3rd question.

Thanks, Zeemimi. In this particular problem, my son is slow to work back the formula although he can construct the table.

[ngl2010]

JohnYeo:

zeemimi:

[quote=\"ngl2010\"]For example is this question. It is faster to construct a table and write down the number of dots required for Figure 5, 6, 7, and so on rather than to find a formula to calculate which figure will need 108 dots to build. Do you think it is ok to construct a table instead of using a formula to calculate?

http://i40.tinypic.com/4iij4p.jpg\">

If the child is able to derive the formula, it will be great. But if cannot, constructing table will solve at least 2 out of the 3 questions. After constructing to figure 9, hopefully the formula becomes obvious by then to solve the 3rd question.

I think its also weighing the pros n cons...
constructing till figure 9 can be really time consuming, but if can get the answer, good la.
but at the same time, the time spent can be used to develop the formula...
so solving math questions involve a lot of thinking process, what if I do this, what will happen...if I do that, then what may happen. While working on more questions, guide your child on how to think too.[/quote]I think sometimes it is faster to construct the table instead of working back to derive the formula. Like in this case, all answers can be obtained once we calculate the number of dots for Figure 10. But once the question asking for far away figure, then the child must come out with formula lah.

[ngl2010]

Good morning everybody. Time to work hard today. Yay!


Jia you, jia you :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:

[clay569]

Good morning!!! 2 more weeks! :boogie:


Steady! Keep calm! Stay healthy! Run, run, run! Go for it!

[Shan]

Morning,


It is kind of late to ask but may I know for Science, how much of p3/p4 topics will be tested? Is it necessary to do/revise p3/p4 assessment books? I have upper primary science assessment books (topical revisions which do not cover p3/p4 topics) but not PSLE assessment books. Thanks in advance.

[Jennifer]

Shan:

Morning,


It is kind of late to ask but may I know for Science, how much of p3/p4 topics will be tested? Is it necessary to do/revise p3/p4 assessment books? I have upper primary science assessment books (topical revisions which do not cover p3/p4 topics) but not PSLE assessment books. Thanks in advance.

Did u buy the authorised PSLE booklet? This booklet should give you an idea of how much of P3/P4 topics will be tested.

I would strongly encourage the revision of lower pri topics.