Q&A - PSLE Math

[Brenda10]

Belle2011:

Yes, the answer of 21 is CORRECT.
Thank-you for sharing.

Cheers,
Belle.

Hi Belle

You're welcome.

[anneshirleygilbert]

tianzhu:

anneshirleygilbert:

Hello Tianzhu,


I'm referring to the other method. I think you call it the Units Method where the initial number of units for $100 notes became 112 units. Why do you multiply by 16 for all the numbers on the $100 side. i don't see the rationale... but this method does help you get the right answer.

I hope you know what I mean. I see many such questions in my daughter's worksheets. If I can understand and explain this method to her, I think she'd hurdle quite a huge obstacle.

Thanks in advance.

Hi anneshirleygilbert

You are referring to the first solution where the ratios are based on the number of notes.

In this question, Angel exchanged 12 pieces of $100 into some $5 notes. Hence, 12 pieces of $100 notes or $1200 is changed into 240 pieces of $5 notes. Therefore, the number of notes in the beginning and the end are different.

To enable us to make a comparison, we make the final quantities (1 part and 16 parts) equal. That’s why we multiply the left column ($100 notes) by 16. In the second table, notice that the final ratios are equal (16 parts).

Hope this helps.

Best wishes[/quote

Thank you, tianzhu. Got it now.... it's simply \"to enable us to make a comparison\". What an ingenious way to get the answer! Thanks a bunch! I've been very impressed with the heuristic approach to answering P5/6 math questions.]

[tianzhu]

anneshirleygilbert:

Thank you, tianzhu. Got it now.... it's simply \"to enable us to make a comparison\". What an ingenious way to get the answer! Thanks a bunch! I've been very impressed with the heuristic approach to answering P5/6 math questions.]

Hi anneshirleygilbert

You're welcome.

Best wishes

[maggilim]

Hi Please help , if possible in model method. Thanks . :?

james spend $2997 altogether on some T-shirts and Jerseys.He bought twice as many T-shirts as Jerseys. Each jersey cost $18 more than each T-shirt.He paid $351 more for the T-shirts than the Jerseys. How many Jerseys did he buy ? :?:

[iFruit]

maggilim:

Hi Please help , if possible in model method. Thanks . :?

james spend $2997 altogether on some T-shirts and Jerseys.He bought twice as many T-shirts as Jerseys. Each jersey cost $18 more than each T-shirt.He paid $351 more for the T-shirts than the Jerseys. How many Jerseys did he buy ? :?:

Let # of jerseys = []. Then # of T shirts = [][]

Then 18[] + 351 = cost of [] T shirts.

Total cost = cost of T shirts + cost of Jerseys = (18[]+351) + (18[]+351) + (18[]+351 + 18[]) = 2997

72[] + 1053 = 2997---> [] = 27


HTH.

[Leanne]

Hi Tianzhu,

Thank you for sharing.

I tried asking my boy to solve the unit method question.He is able to do it, but he told me that there is no name given by the teacher for that method.I ask him how he knows which method when there is no name?He said via reading the question,one will know how to do.

I dont quite understand.So, when I try to explain to him branch method, he says he knows this method, but also doesnt know why it has a name.Not sure why is it so , can someone pls advice.

Thanks.

cheers
Leanne

tianzhu:

Leanne:

Hi Tianzhu,
Today,u post some beautiful pic of model and that brighten up the pc screen.Thanks

Check with you, ds loves to use model to solve almost every question, if not its ratio method.May I know how do we know the question is not suitable to use model method as it becomes tedious, is there a way to identify it?Also, how to avoid misread in questions for model?Like sometime, to a kid, this I means Ali but it actually mean daniel .thanks

Cheers
Leanne

Hi Leanne

You’re welcome.

First as a parent, I felt inadequate to answer your questions as my experience is only limited to one kid. An educator would be in a better position to address your issues.

Nevertheless, I’ll attempt to answer your queries basing on my experience in my maths journey with my boy.

We must recognise that MD is one of many heuristics or problem solving strategies in the primary maths syllabus. It’s not the only method. It’s always good to expose kids to a variety of methods and let them select the method they are most comfortable with to solve a particular question.

MD helps kids to \"see\" Maths, but there may be situations where the numbers given in the questions may make it more challenging to use it.

According to this book, Challenging Maths Problems Made Easy, if the questions involve “more than” or “less than” type, MD is more suitable. If the questions involve ratios, fractions and percentages in two cases, the Units Method would be preferred.

I think I’ve mentioned in some earlier posts, my kid preferred to use Units Method (Units and Parts) for questions involving two changed quantities (Please refer to Belle 2011’s question).MD can also be used for such questions, however, UM may be more efficient.

We usually start with some form of simple representation to show the relationships between the before and after scenarios, As my kid got more familiar with the Units Method, he then could have the option of not drawing the diagram and proceeded directly to use the Units Method.

As for carelessness, I think it’s something all students in the world are capable of making. What I did in my boy’s case was to sit down with him and count the number of marks lost due to carelessness in his test papers. Hopefully he would feel “heart pain” and be more careful in future tests.

Hope this helps.

[Leanne]

Hi Tianzhu,

Thank you for sharing.

I tried asking my boy to solve the unit method question.He is able to do it, but he told me that there is no name given by the teacher for that method.I ask him how he knows which method when there is no name?He said via reading the question,one will know how to do.

I dont quite understand.So, when I try to explain to him branch method, he says he knows this method, but also doesnt know why it has a name.Not sure why is it so , can someone pls advice.

Thanks.

cheers
Leanne

tianzhu:

Leanne:

Hi Tianzhu,
Today,u post some beautiful pic of model and that brighten up the pc screen.Thanks

Check with you, ds loves to use model to solve almost every question, if not its ratio method.May I know how do we know the question is not suitable to use model method as it becomes tedious, is there a way to identify it?Also, how to avoid misread in questions for model?Like sometime, to a kid, this I means Ali but it actually mean daniel .thanks

Cheers
Leanne

Hi Leanne

You’re welcome.

First as a parent, I felt inadequate to answer your questions as my experience is only limited to one kid. An educator would be in a better position to address your issues.

Nevertheless, I’ll attempt to answer your queries basing on my experience in my maths journey with my boy.

We must recognise that MD is one of many heuristics or problem solving strategies in the primary maths syllabus. It’s not the only method. It’s always good to expose kids to a variety of methods and let them select the method they are most comfortable with to solve a particular question.

MD helps kids to \"see\" Maths, but there may be situations where the numbers given in the questions may make it more challenging to use it.

According to this book, Challenging Maths Problems Made Easy, if the questions involve “more than” or “less than” type, MD is more suitable. If the questions involve ratios, fractions and percentages in two cases, the Units Method would be preferred.

I think I’ve mentioned in some earlier posts, my kid preferred to use Units Method (Units and Parts) for questions involving two changed quantities (Please refer to Belle 2011’s question).MD can also be used for such questions, however, UM may be more efficient.

We usually start with some form of simple representation to show the relationships between the before and after scenarios, As my kid got more familiar with the Units Method, he then could have the option of not drawing the diagram and proceeded directly to use the Units Method.

As for carelessness, I think it’s something all students in the world are capable of making. What I did in my boy’s case was to sit down with him and count the number of marks lost due to carelessness in his test papers. Hopefully he would feel “heart pain” and be more careful in future tests.

Hope this helps.

[tianzhu]

Hi


Good Morning.

I saw this question in another blog.
http://road-to-psle.blogspot.com/

A P6 student is seeking help to solve this question.

Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School 2010 P6 CA1 Maths

7 apples cost $4
9 oranges cost $11
James bought a total of 1000 apples and oranges for $999.
How many apples and how many oranges did he buy?

You’ll see that this is a usual “Counting heads and legs” type of question, but given a tweak here.

You can solve it using “Supposition” or “Assumption” method but you‘ll observe that things can get a bit messy.

Well, how about making it a unique KSP experience by sharing your solution to help this student. It’ll be interesting to see if there are any answers coming from students from Pei Hwa.

I think I have in mind how I would like to solve it, but will put in on hold.

Let’s explore more options as it’ll certainly benefit current PSLE students.

Best wishes

[tianzhu]

Leanne:

Hi Tianzhu,

Thank you for sharing.

I tried asking my boy to solve the unit method question.He is able to do it, but he told me that there is no name given by the teacher for that method.I ask him how he knows which method when there is no name?He said via reading the question,one will know how to do.

I dont quite understand.So, when I try to explain to him branch method, he says he knows this method, but also doesnt know why it has a name.Not sure why is it so , can someone pls advice.

Thanks.

cheers
Leanne

Hi

Good Morning.

I think one should not be too particular about names of the terms used.

Call a rose by any name, it smells just as sweet, what is more important is your boy is able to apply the concepts to solve the question.

Many ways, one ideal solution, and that ideal solution is the one a student is most comfortable with.

Explore kids to various strategies, but listen to them, let them decide the way they are most comfortable with. After all, they are the ones taking the examination.

As we are in the KSP forum, do it the KS way.

Keep (in) Syllabus
Keep (it) Simple.
Keep (it) Short

Best wishes

[chewypin]

Hi all, I have a fraction qn posed by my son from his teacher. I can’t think of how to solve it. Plus 2 solution is required if possible. Here is the qns.


Lily is meeting a friend at a certain time . If she drives at 80 km/h she will be 1/3 hour late. If she drives at 60 km/h, she will be 1/3 hour late. How long will the journey take if she drives at 90 km/h?