The Maths Challenge to Parent - UTM book Q5 Pg 20

Hi Sunny

My daughter was trying out the Q5 on page 20 of your UTM book. I have download the answers and explanation, but I don't seem to understand what the "40" in the boxes that you have placed in the diagram. How did you derive the "40"?

Question: Three sisters, Angie, Bernice and Candice share some sweets. Angie's share is 40% of the total number of sweets the three sisters have. Bernice has 40 sweets more than Angie. Bernice's share is 4 times Candice’s. How much money did each of them have?

Thanks

Vijay

From the Desk of Sunny Tan........

The explanation in the book use conventional model. I will illustrate visualizing the model in another perspective - stack model:

Conventional Model VS Stack Model

In my seminars, the following are the most common questions raised by many parents;

a) What are the differences between conventional and stack Model approach?
b) Which model is the more “superior” approach?
c) Will it be confusing for the child to “switch” from conventional to stack model?

Many parents have the misconception that stack Model is completely new approach, that is different from the conventional model. I would like to emphasis that Stack model and conventional Model uses the same fundamental concepts of units to solve problem. Basically, they are the same. The only MAIN difference is the orientation of drawing the model.

Stack model utilizes visual processing technique – enable the child to minimize the movement (rearrange) the models and to combine all the steps required in the conventional model into a single step by using a single model. Then objective is to enable the child to “see” the problems laterally!

I will use the below example to illustrate my point:

The total cost of 14 bags is equal to the total cost of 6 wallets. Each wallet costs $22 more than each bag. Find the cost of each wallet.

CONVENTIONAL MODEL:















STACK MODEL:

Stack Model in action

Conventional Model

Stack Model

Mastering Heuristics Series II

Releasing Soon

Model Approach to Problem-solving
Highly-visual, helps your child to see Maths – literally!

The ability to visualise a problem goes a long way to solving it. The Model Approach to Problem-solving was borne out of this fact. Use drawings (models) in visualising a problem. Go beyond conventional models and solve challenging problems fast with highly-efficient techniques like Stack Model and Split Model.

by Sunny Tan
Releasing in June…

Maths Problem

Hi Sunny,

Greetings!

My daughter, have attended your PR. 6 sesson.

I have one of her Pr. 6 problem that I know the answer but do not know how to present to her. Based on your method, how do you solve the following question:

Ai Tong School organized a 2-day camp. On the first day, the number of boys was 600 more than the girls. On the second day, the number of boys decreased by 10% but the number of girls increased by 10%. If there were 2540 children on the second day, how many children were there on the first day?

Appreciate your enlightening on the solution.

Thanks.

Mr Lee

From the Desk of Sunny Tan........

(click on image for larger view)

Problems Involving Two Variables Concept

Dear Sunny,

I have encountered a math's problem for primary 6, could you please advise me how to solve it?

There were a total of 820 boys and girls at a funfair. After 3/4 of the boys and 3/5 of the girls left the funfair, there were 120 more girls than boys remaining behind. How many boys were there at the funfair at first?

Thanks for your help

Yani

From the Desk of Sunny Tan........

Maths Question

Dear Sunny,

Ms Tan gave some sweets to 6 boys and 11 girls. Each child was given the same number
of sweets. Each boy then gave 2/3 of his share of sweets to the girls. As a result, each
girl now received 12 more sweets than before.
a) How many sweets did each boy left?
b) Find the total number of sweets each girl had in the end.

From the Desk of Sunny Tan........

Math Question Enquiry

Dear Sunny,

Can you advise me on the following math question?

Mary and Jason each has some money. If Mary spent $80 per day and Jason spent $40 per day. Mary wil had $500 left when Jason has spent all his money.

If Mary spent $40 per day and Jason spent $80 per day, Mary will have $1100 left when Jason has spend all his money.

What is the amount of money Jason has?

Regards,
Venus

From the Desk of Sunny Tan........