2022 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (born in 2010)

[MrsKiasu]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044935\" time=\"1636039379\" user_id=\"17023:

https://mothership.sg/2021/10/psle-coin-question/

Using the model method, one critical insight is that since both Helen and Ivan have the same number of coins, Helen would have another 40 50 cent coins.

Without this insight, I would think that many P6 pupils would be staring blankly at their drawn models and cry…

And before looking at the answ, I thought the qn was incomplete lol..

[lee_yl]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2044936\" time=\"1636039648\" user_id=\"43981:

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044935\" time=\"1636039379\" user_id=\"17023:

https://mothership.sg/2021/10/psle-coin-question/

Using the model method, one critical insight is that since both Helen and Ivan have the same number of coins, Helen would have another 40 50 cent coins.

Without this insight, I would think that many P6 pupils would be staring blankly at their drawn models and cry…

And before looking at the answ, I thought the qn was incomplete lol..

That’s true. Not easy.
You feel like you need to know the total number of coins Helen and Ivan have as well as the weight of a 20 cent coin. But this information is not required. That’s why some children will get panicky and cry.

Those parents whose kids have yet to take psle papers, pls remind them, if can’t do, pls move on and do not stare at the paper blankly.

[Liew Nga Wing]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044935\" time=\"1636039379\" user_id=\"17023:

https://mothership.sg/2021/10/psle-coin-question/

Using the model method, one critical insight is that since both Helen and Ivan have the same number of coins, Helen would have another 40 50 cent coins.

Without this insight, I would think that many P6 pupils would be staring blankly at their drawn models and cry…

To me, I will use algebra instead of model method, as it is more easy for me to use algebra.....provided the answer is correct, no need to insist whether algebra or model method is used.

This make me recalled the time I had an argument with my Japanese teacher because she insisted that I had to answer the test paper in \"Romaji\" to show that I knew how to use the \"Romaji\" but I could directly answer the test paper in \"Hiragana and Katakana\".

[sky minecrafter]

OT:

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2044938\" time=\"1636040772\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2044938 time=1636040772 user_id=195250]...This make me recalled the time I had an argument with my Japanese teacher because she insisted that I had to answer the test paper in \"Romaji\" to show that I knew how to use the \"Romaji\" but I could directly answer the test paper in \"Hiragana and Katakana\"...[/quote]

Wow, thank goodness my teachers (not even the Business Japanese teacher!) did not make me write rōmaji! - I wouldn't know where to parse... But she was shinsetsu not to have you write kanji (we were not to use hiragana if there's a commonly used kanji)

[AHsDad]

Helen/Ivan. Simplified accepted answer for a 2marks-each-part qn. No need algebra or models also can… math Olympiad type of thinking


a) 104-64= 40 (coins diff)
50c - 20c= 30c (value diff)
40 * 30c = $12 more

b) 40 * 2.7g = 108g
1.134 - 0.108= 1.026kg

I also tried algebra at first glance cos like u all, I’m old 😆 Kids not just have to learn to solve problems but also to know best means to do it. More Options good. Algebra skills of course must let them be aware too but if they are not ready, can still acquire later

[zac's mum]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2044903\" time=\"1636034032\" user_id=\"43981:

Just curious..is there answer for Helen & Ivan qn.

Pls ignore..I go Google..

I just watched..you need some exposure to this kind of qns In order to answer? And where do we usually see this type of qn? I agree with model mtd for this type of qn..very clear.

Hi MKS, to answer your qn, the kids are taught how to solve this type of heuristic qn beginning of P5.

Of course my son’s class forgot. After the PSLE qn made the news and everyone was talking about it, P5 Math teacher went through it during HBL Zoom again to refresh their memory.

Personally, for a child to be able to recall & implement under exam conditions is not easy. The P5 boys could all solve part (a) on their own using their own methods, but only after thinking very long, definitely longer than under exam conditions.

[MrsKiasu]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2044944\" time=\"1636064353\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2044944 time=1636064353 user_id=53606]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2044903\" time=\"1636034032\" user_id=\"43981:

Hi MKS, to answer your qn, the kids are taught how to solve this type of heuristic qn beginning of P5.

Of course my son’s class forgot. After the PSLE qn made the news and everyone was talking about it, P5 Math teacher went through it during HBL Zoom again to refresh their memory.

Personally, for a child to be able to recall & implement under exam conditions is not easy. The P5 boys could all solve part (a) on their own using their own methods, but only after thinking very long, definitely longer than under exam conditions.

So this is called heuristic and will be taught in P5, ok good..thanks.

[MrsKiasu]

I remember there were these 4 and 2 legged animals qns…any MO way or short &sweet way of solving these type of qns?

[Liew Nga Wing]

sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"2044941\" time=\"1636043357\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=2044941 time=1636043357 user_id=130531]
OT:

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2044938\" time=\"1636040772\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2044938 time=1636040772 user_id=195250]...This make me recalled the time I had an argument with my Japanese teacher because she insisted that I had to answer the test paper in \"Romaji\" to show that I knew how to use the \"Romaji\" but I could directly answer the test paper in \"Hiragana and Katakana\"...[/quote]

Wow, thank goodness my teachers (not even the Business Japanese teacher!) did not make me write rōmaji! - I wouldn't know where to parse... But she was shinsetsu not to have you write kanji (we were not to use hiragana if there's a commonly used kanji)[/quote]

People may not know how to pronounce the word if you just write in \"kanji\" instead of \"hiragana\".

[zac's mum]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2044951\" time=\"1636068137\" user_id=\"43981:

I remember there were these 4 and 2 legged animals qns..any MO way or short &sweet way of solving these type of qns?

This type of qn, the kids will be taught to solve using:
- Guess & check method (lower primary)
- Assumption method (P4 onwards)

The 2nd way is faster.

But also must bear in mind, for some types of qns, Assumption method will not work, have to “regress” to Guess & Check method.

It is so tricky. For a young kid, definitely not easy for them to decide which method to use. What more under exam conditions.

Stressful or not, depends on how child has been taught to deal with curveballs in life.