Can you solve these 2021 PSLE Math Questions?
October 2021 – This year’s Primary 6 students faced lots of challenges and learning disruptions in the lead up to the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
Source Credits: donkdonkconk
Covid-19 started just as Primary 5 life began – the primary level where most PSLE topics and skills are taught. They experienced several rounds of Home-Based Learning (HBL) in Primary 5 and Primary 6. Co-curricular activities (CCAs), enrichment and tuition classes were not spared (but Live Online Learning Math, GEP & Math Olympiad classes like us carried on!).
They are also the pioneer batch of students to be assessed under the new PSLE scoring system. After in-depth consideration, MOE and SEAB announced reduced tested content to ease the stress on both students and teachers (thankfully!).
For our young pre-teens, these constant changes can affect their social and emotional wellbeing, and increase stress levels.
It’s therefore unsurprising that many Primary 6 PSLE parents and students have publicly expressed their sentiments about the difficulty of this year’s PSLE Math questions. Here’s a glimpse of just some of the comments:
Source: Facebook post
Are this year’s PSLE Mathematics questions really that difficult?
Image source: sgfollowsall
Let’s take a close look at FIVE of the PSLE 2021 Math Questions with our Primary 6 PSLE Teachers, Teacher Jason and Teacher Wei Jie!
Think Academy’s PSLE Math dynamic teaching duo – Teacher Jason and Teacher Wei Jie! Helping students understand and learning how to apply Upper Primary Math concepts easily.
We’ve analysed the questions based on the Think Academy 7 Math Module and 7 Math Abilities it falls under, what’s interesting about each question, plus how to solve it.
Ready? Let’s begin!
We begin with the Easiest of them all…
PSLE 2021 Question 1
There were several brown and green beads in a box. The green beads took up 40% of the beads in the box. After some yellow beads were added, the percentage of green beads reduced to 26%. What percentage of the final number of beads are yellow?
Think Academy Math Module: Word Problem Solving
Think Academy Math Ability: Practical Application
Teacher Jason’s Question Analysis & Comments:
This question did not mention the numerical amount of brown, green and yellow beads. Despite giving the percentage of their amount amongst all the beads in the box, it is not easy to deduce their individual sums without comparing the ratio of the beads.
Teacher Jason’s Worked Solution:
All warmed up! Gearing up our difficulty level now…
PSLE 2021 Question 2
There were 3 friends, A, B and C, sharing the cost of a toy.
The ratio of A’s share to the total of B and C is 1:3.
The ratio of B’s share to the total of A and C is 1:5
C spent $80 more than B. Find the cost of the toy.
Think Academy Math Module: Word Problem Solving
Think Academy Math Ability: Practical Application
Teacher Wei Jie’s Question Analysis & Comments:
The question does not give you the proportion of money between any two of the three friends. This makes it hard to calculate the amount of money each friend is sharing out of the whole cost. However, we note that the three friends were all sharing the same cost of the toy.
Teacher Wei Jie’s Worked Solution:
Whoo, flexed those Word Problem muscles! Let’s head on to… Question 3!
PSLE 2021 Question 3
The difference between the perimeter of the two regions is 4 cm.
a) Find the length of AB.
b) What is the area of the shaded region?
Think Academy Math Module: Geometry
Think Academy Math Ability: Geometric Cognition
Teacher Jason’s Question Analysis & Comments:
The base of the triangle is given, but the height of the triangle is not, and it is not easy to resolve the height of the triangle with the information provided in the Figure. This question actually requires students to be able to manipulate the shapes given to discover new perspectives to solve it. They would appreciate that there is excess length when comparing the two figures. Students who have Math Olympiad training might have come across similar questions.
Teacher Jason’s Worked Solution:
That worked up quite a sweat – but let’s push on!
PSLE 2021 Question 4
Given that the shaded regions in the two figures have the same area,
a) Find the perimeter of Figure 2.
b) Find the area of Figure 2.
Think Academy Math Module: Geometry
Think Academy Math Ability: Geometric Cognition
Teacher Jason’s Question Analysis & Comments:
The figure is divided into 4 sections and the thickness of the shaded area was not mentioned within this question. Students are required to deduce the thickness of the figure by sectioning Figure 2 into 4 sections and using the radius given in Figure 1. Students need to have strong abstract thinking skills to manipulate figures mentally to do, which may be less common in the school syllabus but common in Math Olympiad enrichment and training plus competitions.
My Upper Primary Math Olympiad course students gain exposure and learn how to solve such questions.
Glad that we had also spotted such question types for this year’s PSLE and had included it in Think Academy’s PSLE Mock Paper for our Primary 6 Students!
Teacher Jason’s Worked Solution:
Four of five questions Done and Dusted!
ANDDDDD for our Grand Finale, we finally get to meet Singapore’s beloved Helen and Ivan…
PSLE 2021 Question 5
Helen and Ivan have the same number of coins. Helen has some 50-cent coins and 64 20-cent coins. Her coins weigh a total of 1.134 kg. Ivan had some 50-cent coins and 104 20-cent coins.
a) Who has more money, and how much more does he/she have?
b) If the mass of one 50-cent coin is 2.7 g heavier than one 20-cent coin, what is the mass of Ivan’s coins in kilograms?
Think Academy Math Module: Word Problem Solving
Think Academy Math Ability: Practical Application
Teacher Wei Jie’s Question Analysis & Comments:
This question does not provide information about the number of Helen’s nor Ivan’s 50-cent coins, but already asks the student to determine who has a greater amount of money. Moreover, the question only gives the difference in mass of both coins rather than the direct weight of either of the coin, making the question that much harder. Students who have Math Olympiad training or competition experience may be able to solve this question easily because of their ability to recognise the difference in monetary value of the coins.
Teacher Wei Jie’s Worked Solution:
If you’re a Primary 3 to 5 primary school parent reading this, don’t forget to get your FREE Full-Year Examination Practice Papers & Answers that we’ve specially prepared for you!
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