Preparing Your Child For PSLE MATHEMATICS

2017

Date of PSLE Maths: 29 September 2017

Mathematics Framework

The framework sets the direction for teaching, learning and assessment.

In the curriculum, problems are defined

to include “a wide range of situations” and include “non-routine, open-ended and real-world problems”.

Standard Mathematics:

• Numbers (Whole Numbers, Fractions, Decimals)

• Measurement

• Data Analysis

• Geometry

• Rate, Ratio, Percentage

• Speed

• Algebra

PSLE Mathematics format

Paper Booklet Item Type No. of questions

No. of marks

Weighting Duration

1 A MCQ 10 1 10% 50min

5 2 10%

B SAQ 10 1 10%

5 2 10%

2 SAQ 5 2 10% 1h 40min

LAQ 13 3, 4, 5 50%

TOTAL: 48 100% 2h 30min

To note for Paper 1

• Score as many points as possible.

• Watch that clock and don’t get too preoccupied with any one sum.

• Good practice makes perfect and helps in developing accuracy and familiarity in addition to speed.

To note for Paper 2

•Read the questions carefully before attempting to work out an answer.

•Here the questions will attempt to trick candidates in order to test their powers of observation and comprehension skills in addition to your math prowess.

Pupils should be able to:

Recall specific mathematical facts, concepts, rules and

formulae, and to perform straightforward computations. (Knowledge)

16 .

16

16 . 20 16 . 20

4 . 05

16

Find the value of 16.20 ÷ 4.

Example of ‘Knowledge’ question

Number Bond Method

Long Division Method

Pupils should be able to:

Interpret data and use mathematical concepts, rules or formulae to solve routine or familiar mathematical problems. (Comprehension)

3

21

11 13

4

19 20

5

What is the average of the eight numbers that

can be seen in the frame?

4 x 24 = 96

96 ÷ 8 = 12 (average)

Pupils should be able to:

Analyse data and/or apply mathematical concepts, rules or formulae in a complex situation, and to solve unfamiliar problems. (Application & Analysis)

At first Shop A had 156 kg of rice

and Shop B had 72 kg of rice.

After each shop sold the same

quantity of rice, the amount of rice

that Shop A had was 4 times that

of Shop B. How many kilograms

of rice did Shop A sell?

Solution (Draw a Model)

Shop A

Shop B

After Solution

Shop A

Shop B

Before

156 kg

72kg

156 kg – 72 kg = 84 kg

3 units 84 kg

1 unit 84 kg ÷ 3 = 28 kg 72 kg – 28 kg = 44 kg

Shop B sold 44 kg of rice.

Shop A sold 44 kg of rice.

Solution

PSLE Mathematics is based on a Problem Solving Curriculum

• Visualisation –An intellectual competency which is one of the most important abilities in solving problem and mental strategies strengthen visualization ability

• Number Sense

• Metacognition

• Communication

• Patterns

The 5 key competencies in solving

challenging problems

• Draw a model

• Make a list or a Table

• Guess and Check

• Look for a pattern

• Logical Reasoning

• Working Backwards

• Number x Value

• Constant Part, Constant Total, Constant Difference

• Grouping

• Excess and Shortage

• Units and Parts

Problem Solving steps:

•Read the questions carefully

•Underline the important/key information in short phrases or sentences

•Transfer information read to a model

•Put in ? to represent answer to be found in the model

•Use the unitary method where possible

•Relook at the solution to check for transfer error

Constant difference

In a class, 30% were boys. After another 9 girls and 9 boys joined the class,

there were as many boys as girls. How many pupils were there in the

end? 5

3

At first:

Boys : Girls : Difference

30% : 70%

3 : 7 : 4

In the end:

Boys : Girls : Difference

3 : 5 : 2

6 : 10 : 4

16 units

6 – 3 = 3 units

3 units = 6 pupils

16 units = 32 pupils

Grouping

Beng bought 2 more pairs of shorts than shirts and paid a

total of $124. Each shirt costs $8 and each pair of shorts

costs $12.

(a) How many shirts did he buy?

(b) How many pair of shorts did he buy?

(a) $12 x 2 = $24

$124 - $24 = $100

1 shirt and 1 shorts:

$8 + $12 = $20 (1 set)

$100 ÷ $20 = 5

He bought 5 shirts.

(b) 5 + 2 = 7

He bought 7 pairs of shorts.

Units and Parts

Mrs Tan had some apples and oranges in the ratio of 9 : 3.

He bought 30 more apples and 6 oranges. As a result, the

ratio of apples to oranges became 4 : 1. How many apples

did he have at first?

Apples : 9u + 30 4 parts

Oranges: 3u + 6 1 part

x 4: 12u + 24 4 parts

9u + 30 = 12u + 24

12u - 9u = 30 - 24

3u = 6

1u = 2

9u = 18 (apples)

Guess and Check

50-cent coins

Amount 20-cent coins

Amount Total Check

4 $ 2.00 4 $ 0.80 $ 2.80 x

3 $ 1.50 5 $ 1.00 $ 2.50

John has 8 coins that add up to $2.50. Some of

them are 50-cent coins and the rest are 20-cent

coins. How many 50-cent coins does he have?

The total number of coins must always be 8.

1st guess - $2.80 is more than $2.50. Therefore, the

number of 50-cent coins must be reduced.

Ans : He has 3 ‘50-cent’ coins.

Some Tips for Parents

• It is important to do well in Paper 1 • Spending at least 30 min/1h every day to revise their daily

work or concepts to review what they have learned in class • Practise the easier questions first. Easy questions helps to

build up your child’s foundation and most importantly, strengthens his or her self belief that Math is not as difficult as it seems

• Calculator is merely a tool. Questions in Paper 2 would be

based on concepts and understanding

Types of calculators

24

Only calculators that are approved by the

Singapore Examination and Assessment

Board (SEAB) will be allowed in the

Examination.

Model: Casio FX 96 SG Plus

PSLE information can be obtained from:

http://www.seab.gov.sg/pages/nationalExaminations/PSLE/syllabus.asp