Q&A - PSLE Math

[tianzhu]

anneshirleygilbert:

I did it the Guess and Check method and got the answer after 10 guesses!!! Doubt students sitting in PSLE would have the luxury of time to do 10 guesses.

My answer is 343 apples and 657 oranges; but I'm curious and eager to learn your method.

Hi

Hope this helps.

First I’d like to share the thought process for this solution.

A student should be able to recognize that the number of oranges is a multiple of 9 and the number of apples is a multiple of 7.

I started with a group of 100 for ease of calculation as it’s not too difficult to get 72 oranges and 28 apples to form a group of 100 fruits.

Next multiply by 10 to get 1000 fruits.

Work in group of 63 for an increase/decrease of oranges and apples --- for balancing.

Best wishes

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5456348000_75a99120c9_b.jpg\">

[small]

atutor2001:

If the question is :

A bag of oranges were shared among some girls. If each girl received 5 oranges, there would be 4 extra oranges. If each girl received 6 oranges, there would be 4 oranges short.

What should I do, using the same method?

Hope this helps.

a)

Multiple of 5 + 4 : 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44, 49, 54, 59\t.....
Multiple of 6 - 4 : 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, 50, 56, 62...

There were 44 oranges in the bags.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

b) \t If each girl received 5 oranges, there would be 4 extra oranges.\t\t\t\t\t

\t5 Units + 4 = 44
\t5 Units = 40
\t1Unit = 8

\t8 girls were sharing the oranges.

[small]

tianzhu:

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5456348000_75a99120c9_b.jpg\">

Hi Tianzhu,

Like this method, thanks for sharing the idea. :celebrate:

[atutor2001]

small:

atutor2001:

If the question is :

A bag of oranges were shared among some girls. If each girl received 5 oranges, there would be 4 extra oranges. If each girl received 6 oranges, there would be 4 oranges short.

What should I do, using the same method?

Hope this helps.

a)

Multiple of 5 + 4 : 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44, 49, 54, 59\t.....
Multiple of 6 - 4 : 20, 26, 32, 38, 44, 50, 56, 62...

There were 44 oranges in the bags.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

b) \t If each girl received 5 oranges, there would be 4 extra oranges.\t\t\t\t\t

\t5 Units + 4 = 44
\t5 Units = 40
\t1Unit = 8

\t8 girls were sharing the oranges.

Hi small

Multiple of 5 + 4 : 9, 14....

Multiple of 6 - 4 : 2, 8, 14, ....

Actually the first common number is 14, why is 14 not the number of oranges? Thanks

[small]

Hi atutor2001,


You are right too, I overlooked this, still have long long way to learn it. :oops:


I think normally the setter will specify the range of oranges for the question. If not, both 14 and 41 are considered correct..

[stary]

small:

tianzhu:

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5456348000_75a99120c9_b.jpg\">

Hi Tianzhu,

Like this method, thanks for sharing the idea. :celebrate:

Me too, otherwise I always use guess n check which are sometimes rather tedious. Simultaneous equation only taught in Secondary, wonder can it be used in Primary.
Stary

[small]

stary:

Me too, otherwise I always use guess n check which are sometimes rather tedious. Simultaneous equation only taught in Secondary, wonder can it be used in Primary.

Stary

Hi Stary,

Should not be a problem as there are so many ways to solve the Maths questions and it very depends on the kids' understanding to apply the suitable method to it.
[quote]Not all methods are suitable for the children. Some methods work very well for the child, while others may not be suitable. However, the child can easily learn any technique you prescribe and suggest, because their young mind is ready to learn new things and fresh techniques. [/quote]

[iFruit]

atutor2001:

pixiedust:

...Will wait for solution...

Simply :

Let the number of GROUPs of \"7 apples\" be U
Let the number of GROUPs of \"9 oranges\" be V

1 group of apple costs $4 so cost of all apples is $4U
1 group of orange costs $11 so cost of all oranges is $11V
So 4V + 11V = 999

Total number of apples is 7U (there are 7 apples in each group)
Total number of oranges is 9V (there are 9 oranges in each group)
So 7U + 9V = 1000

To find U & V we can draw model or use simultaneous.

Hi atutor2001,

Why do assume the number of apples is in groups of 7 and the number of oranges is in groups of 9? They can also be in groups and a fraction of the group, can't they?

Obviously your equations make the problem easy to solve, but is there a reason you assume the number of apples/oranges are in groups of 7/9?

[anneshirleygilbert]

tianzhu:

anneshirleygilbert:

I did it the Guess and Check method and got the answer after 10 guesses!!! Doubt students sitting in PSLE would have the luxury of time to do 10 guesses.

My answer is 343 apples and 657 oranges; but I'm curious and eager to learn your method.

Hi

Hope this helps.

First I’d like to share the thought process for this solution.

A student should be able to recognize that the number of oranges is a multiple of 9 and the number of apples is a multiple of 7.

I started with a group of 100 for ease of calculation as it’s not too difficult to get 72 oranges and 28 apples to form a group of 100 fruits.

Next multiply by 10 to get 1000 fruits.

Work in group of 63 for an increase/decrease of oranges and apples --- for balancing.

Best wishes

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5456348000_75a99120c9_b.jpg\">

Thanks, tianzhu. My GC method went very much along your line of thought. Only, I didn't think to reduce to groups of 100 which would have made calculation easier. That was a good idea. Thanks. I like your colourful illustration. Thanks for the time you took to craft it.

With the use of the calculator, I took about 9 minutes to get to arrive at the answer. Is this too long to spend on a 4 or 5 marks question in the PSLE? Pls advise.

[atutor2001]

small:

Hi atutor2001,


You are right too, I overlooked this, still have long long way to learn it. :oops:


I think normally the setter will specify the range of oranges for the question. If not, both 14 and 41 are considered correct..

Hi small

This type of question cannot use multiples because the number of girls is fixed. If multiples are to be used, we do not accept the first common number. It should be the first common number from the \"same multiple\".

If the number of girls is not fixed, e.g. packing oranges into boxes (not fixed) then we accept the first numbers that are common.

I learnt this the hard way too when teaching my kid and can still remembered it after more than 10 years.

My apology for knowingly asked the question. I feel it is the best way to understand and remember something. Actually \"questioning\" is the best way for understanding and clarity but it is also the rudest way. My apology again.

Regards